Professional golfer Tiger Woods has confirmed he will sit out all major championships this season after choosing not to register for The Open Championship, marking his continued absence from competitive golf since 2024.
While Woods lacks eligibility for next month’s U.S. Open, he maintained special qualification status for The Open. The golf star had previously spoken publicly about potentially making his return at last month’s Masters tournament.
However, a vehicle collision in late March that led to a DUI arrest changed those comeback aspirations. Following the incident, Woods revealed he would pursue treatment and step back from his organizational responsibilities, which included his positions on the PGA Tour Policy Board and the Future Competition Committee, while also removing himself from consideration as U.S. Ryder Cup captain.
Physical challenges have significantly impacted Woods’ professional involvement in recent years. A different automobile accident in 2021 caused injuries to his lower leg, and he has undergone seven back operations, including disk replacement surgery in October. The 15-time major winner has been unable to secure another championship since the 2021 accident, with his most recent victory coming at the 2019 Masters.
At age 50, Woods maintains his exemption status for The Open Championship through age 60.
Meanwhile, 55-year-old Phil Mickelson has chosen to register for the tournament, though his attendance remains uncertain due to his absence from multiple LIV events this spring while dealing with a family health matter. Mickelson’s last missed Open Championship occurred in 2009, and he claimed the title in 2013.
Woods captured Open Championship victories in 2000, 2005, and 2006.
California’s governor has declared his state will fully tax any money distributed to residents from the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion compensation fund targeting alleged victims of political persecution, according to an announcement made Wednesday.
Governor Gavin Newsom stated his intention during public remarks, saying “One thing I think we’re going to try to do … is tax 100%. Anyone from California who receives any of those funds, we want to tax 100% of those proceeds and that’s an action the state of California can take. It’s an action we look forward to taking.”
The governor’s office took to social media to label the $1.776 billion compensation program as a “slush fund.”
Newsom provided no timeline for when California would begin implementing this taxation policy.
Neither the White House nor the Justice Department offered immediate responses when asked for comment.
The compensation program emerged from a legal settlement between U.S. President Donald Trump and the Internal Revenue Service, following Trump’s lawsuit against the agency for releasing his tax information to news outlets.
More than 1,500 individuals connected to January 6 received presidential pardons from Trump last year. Many of these defendants are now tallying expenses from their legal proceedings, incarceration periods, and lost businesses while seeking reimbursement for what they consider misconduct by the Justice Department during former President Joe Biden’s tenure.
This unprecedented compensation effort already faces court challenges from two law enforcement officers who protected the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021 riots.
Both Democratic and some Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about the fund’s legal foundation, particularly questioning a settlement provision that permanently prevents the IRS from conducting future audits of Trump, his family members, and his business enterprises.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina criticized the program, stating “(The fund) could potentially compensate someone who assaulted a police officer, admitted their guilt, got convicted, got pardoned and now we’re going to pay them for that? That’s absurd.”
American military forces launched fresh overnight attacks against an Iranian military installation that defense officials say presented a danger to US personnel and commercial shipping vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US official who spoke to Reuters on Wednesday.
The official, requesting anonymity, revealed that American forces have also destroyed several Iranian drones that presented comparable risks to regional security.
These previously unreported military operations took place while diplomatic efforts continue to resolve a three-month conflict that has resulted in thousands of casualties and caused worldwide energy costs to surge dramatically since hostilities began February 28 with American and Israeli military actions.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday rejected claims from Iranian state media suggesting that Iran and Oman would share control of Strait of Hormuz shipping operations as part of a potential peace agreement. Trump stated the critical waterway would continue operating normally.
American forces previously conducted what officials described as defensive military operations against Iran on Monday, which Iranian authorities characterized as breaking the nations’ delicate ceasefire agreement. Those US operations targeted vessels attempting to deploy mines and missile launching facilities that Central Command determined threatened American military personnel.
Motorists traveling southbound on Route 13 should expect periodic lane restrictions this morning due to ongoing construction work.
The intermittent lane closures are affecting the stretch of highway between Lorewood Grove Road and Biddle’s Toll Plaza, according to traffic officials.
The construction-related restrictions are expected to remain in place until 5:30 AM, potentially impacting early morning commuters in the area.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the work zone.
Drivers traveling eastbound on Kirkwood Highway should expect delays due to construction-related lane restrictions currently affecting traffic flow.
The intermittent lane closures are occurring along the eastbound direction of Kirkwood Highway between Ogletown Road and Anna Way, with work expected to wrap up by 5 a.m.
Motorists are advised to plan for additional travel time and consider alternate routes when possible to avoid potential delays in the construction zone.
Federal prosecutors have brought criminal charges against an employee of Google for allegedly earning $1.2 million through trading activities on the Polymarket platform.
This represents the second documented instance where federal authorities have pursued criminal prosecution against an individual suspected of leveraging insider knowledge to generate substantial profits on a prediction market platform.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — New York Yankees power hitter Giancarlo Stanton has reached an important milestone in his recovery from a right calf injury, beginning outdoor running exercises after encouraging medical imaging results, though his return timeline remains uncertain.
The slugger has been out of action since April 24, when he felt stiffness in his right calf during base running against Houston.
“I think he wants it fully clear, and I think we got enough news today that allows us to take that step to hopefully the running goes in line with how he’s feeling, and we can start to ramp up,” manager Aaron Boone told reporters Wednesday before the team’s final game against the Royals.
Through his first 24 games this season, Stanton was performing well with a .256 batting average, three home runs, and 14 RBIs. The five-time All-Star’s right-handed power is particularly crucial when Boone fields lineups heavy with left-handed hitters like Ben Rice, Trent Grisham, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger and Austin Wells.
“Having him in the middle, his presence is massive,” Boone noted. “So you know, hopefully not too much longer.”
When Stanton was injured, the team brought up Jasson Dominguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but the young outfielder also landed on the injured list May 7 after straining his left shoulder’s AC joint in a collision with the outfield wall at Yankee Stadium.
Dominguez received a shoulder injection on May 11 and has been taking batting practice off a tee for approximately one week.
Team officials plan to increase Dominguez’s baseball activities this week as the Yankees finish their Kansas City series and travel to Sacramento for three games against the Athletics, wrapping up their six-game, seven-day road trip.
“Hopefully when we get back next week,” Boone explained, “there may be some live (batting practice) situations for him.”
Civil rights organizations filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday challenging new regulations from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that advocates claim will weaken decades-old protections against lending discrimination targeting Black, Latino and other minority communities.
The legal challenge, submitted in Washington, D.C., targets modifications made this year to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which prohibits lenders from discriminating against loan applicants. One key change being contested eliminates the requirement for lenders to evaluate “disparate impact” — seemingly neutral policies that disproportionately harm specific demographic groups.
The organizations contend the regulatory changes would allow lenders to focus their marketing efforts on predominantly white communities, pushing minority borrowers toward dangerous, high-cost lenders offering predatory loans with excessive interest rates.
“This is the deliberate dismantling of 50 years of legal jurisprudence, regulatory guidance, and bipartisan consensus that lending discrimination has no place in America,” Lisa Rice, the CEO and president of the National Fair Housing Alliance, one of the plaintiffs that filed the lawsuit, said in a statement.
“This reversal by the CFPB is a continuation of this Administration’s efforts to gut fair housing and lending protections,” she said. “Eviscerating these guardrails will ultimately result in less credit access for many people, make our markets less sound, and cause our economy to be less productive.”
Paulina Gonzalez-Brito, the CEO of another plaintiff, Rise Economy, a California nonprofit that advocates for economic justice, accused the CFPB of ignoring “public comments, common sense, and decades of precedent in its misguided attempt to turn anti-discrimination law on its head.”
“The CFPB was created to protect consumers and small businesses from financial abuse and discrimination, and this final Reg B rule would do real harm, setting us back in our collective efforts to ensure that all families and small businesses have a fair chance to achieve the American Dream,” Gonzalez-Brito said.
The CFPB did not respond to a request for comment.
Plaintiffs argue that the rule change is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to dismantle regulations related to fair housing and lending protections.
The administration, the National Fair Housing Alliance said, has proposed eliminating the budget for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, which funds nonprofits to ensure access to housing for seniors, disabled veterans, families with children and other groups. It also has cut staffing in half at the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
Several high-profile settlements in recent years indicate housing discrimination remains a significant problem.
In 2023, the Justice Department accused Los Angeles-based City National Bank of discrimination by refusing to underwrite mortgages in predominately Black and Latino communities, requiring the bank to pay more than $31 million in the largest redlining settlement in department history. In 2016. the Justice Department and the CFPB fined Mississippi-based BancorpSouth $10.6 million, alleging the bank deliberately discriminated against minorities in its lending practices.
Plaintiffs are asking court to vacate the rule, which they contend is arbitrary and capricious, in excess of statutory authority, and issued outside the procedures required by Congress.
“The Final Rule does not reflect reasoned decision-making or an expert, good-faith effort to implement our nation’s foundational credit antidiscrimination statute,” plaintiffs wrote. “Quite the opposite: The Final Rule is a drastic turn, without justification, from the CFPB’s (and its Federal Reserve Board predecessor’s) longstanding interpretation and enforcement of key ECOA provisions.”
The former first lady has revealed she was terrified during her husband’s catastrophic debate appearance in June 2024, believing the former president might be experiencing a medical emergency during the performance that ultimately ended his reelection bid.
“I was frightened, because I had never ever seen Joe like that before or since. Never,” the former first lady shared during a television interview with CBS News set to broadcast Sunday.
The former president’s unsteady, unclear, and at times bewildered presentation against Donald Trump during the June 2024 face-off reinforced existing concerns among voters regarding his capability to serve another four-year term. His subsequent efforts to dismiss the poor showing and provide confidence about his readiness for the presidency failed to calm voter anxieties. Facing increasing demands from fellow party members, he withdrew from the race, leading Democrats to select Vice President Kamala Harris as their nominee.
“I don’t know what happened,” the former first lady explained during the interview. “As I watched it, I thought, ‘Oh, my God, he’s having a stroke.’ And it scared me to death.”
The former first lady is currently publicizing her upcoming book titled “View from the East Wing: A Memoir,” which will be released next week.
Motorists traveling on Kirkwood Highway should expect periodic lane restrictions overnight due to construction activity in the area.
The work zone extends along the highway between Harmony Road and East Green Valley Circle, where crews are causing intermittent lane closures that will remain in effect until 5 AM.
Drivers are advised to plan for potential delays and exercise caution when traveling through the construction zone during the overnight hours.
The United States has reinstated Francesca Albanese, a United Nations expert on Palestinian territories, to its sanctions list, as shown on the Treasury Department’s website Wednesday.
Key developments in the case:
• The sanctions were originally imposed in July 2025 because of what the U.S. described as Albanese’s attempts to encourage the International Criminal Court to pursue action against American and Israeli officials, businesses and executives.
• Earlier in May, Albanese was taken off the sanctions list when a federal judge approved an injunction requested by her husband and daughter that temporarily suspended the sanctions.
• U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington determined the Trump administration likely infringed on her free-speech rights by implementing the sanctions following her criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
• Last Friday, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted an administrative stay of Leon’s decision, permitting the government to reinstate Albanese’s status as a sanctioned foreign national.
• The appeals court emphasized that the administrative stay was procedural in nature and “should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits” of the government’s larger appeal to suspend the lower court’s injunction while the case proceeds.
Moscow announced Wednesday that its military forces have seized two Ukrainian settlements – one located in the northeastern Kharkiv region and another in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, according to Russia’s Defence Ministry.
Ukrainian military officials and the nation’s most popular military monitoring blog questioned the validity of Moscow’s claims.
The Russian Defence Ministry stated its troops had gained control of Hraniv in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border, as well as Vozdvyzhivka in a heavily disputed area of Zaporizhzhia region.
Ukraine’s 14th Army rejected Moscow’s announcement, maintaining that Hraniv remains under Ukrainian military control.
“Units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine are reliably holding designated defensive lines, effectively repelling enemy offensive actions, and inflicting significant losses on them in personnel and equipment,” the unit posted on Facebook.
DeepState, a Ukrainian military blog that monitors both sides across the 1,250-km (775-mile) battle line using publicly available information, declared the Russian claim about Vozdvyzhivka’s seizure to be false.
The blog reported that while a contingent of Russian soldiers had temporarily entered the settlement earlier this month, they were either forced out or eliminated.
On Tuesday, the 14th Army also refuted the seizure of one of two settlements that Russian forces claimed to have taken in Sumy region, a border territory where Moscow says it seeks to establish an expanded buffer zone.
Russia, which controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian land, has maintained an extended military operation aimed at gaining full control of the eastern Donetsk region, declaring village captures on a weekly basis.
However, Ukraine’s military has reported in recent weeks that Russian progress has decelerated and its forces are in their most advantageous position in several months.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson broke his public silence Wednesday during his second OTA practice, speaking for the first time since watching placekicker Tyler Loop miss a crucial short field goal that ended the team’s playoff hopes.
That missed kick capped off a difficult campaign for the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, who sat out four games with injury. Jackson posted career-worst numbers, rushing for just 349 yards while getting sacked 2.77 times per game—also a career high. For the first time in eight largely successful seasons, he watched the postseason from home.
During Wednesday’s session, Jackson disclosed that the hamstring injury he sustained in Week 3 against the Lions continued to bother him even after he returned for the season’s final nine contests.
Significant changes have swept through Baltimore since that disappointing finish. The organization dismissed the only head coach the current Ravens roster had ever played under, with John Harbaugh quickly landing with the New York Giants.
“I gotta lot of respect for Coach. I was shocked in a way,” Jackson commented regarding Harbaugh’s firing. “I feel like (team owner) Mr. Steve (Bisciotti) did what was best for the team. I hope Coach has a great, great time in New York. Hats off to Coach because we did so much for the city, for the team, for this organization.”
Baltimore brought in Jesse Minter, the former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator, as the franchise’s fourth head coach. The 43-year-old Minter added 30-year-old Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator, bringing over the former Chicago Bears’ OC (though head coach Ben Johnson handled play-calling duties). Doyle is only months older than his star signal-caller.
While Jackson skipped last week’s OTAs, he has maintained regular communication with both Minter and Doyle about the offensive system he’ll be running. The quarterback is anticipated to have significant influence in shaping that scheme.
“All of us are having fun with the new system, and what he (Doyle) sees on the field and the film,” Jackson explained, characterizing the environment at 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills, Md. as “a breath of fresh air.”
“It means a lot because I feel like I should know what coach is thinking when he calls certain plays on the field. It sure makes my job a lot easier.”
Despite the absence of a contract extension this offseason, Minter expressed no concerns about Jackson’s dedication to the organization.
“Great to see him out there making the plays that he can make,” Minter stated.
Baltimore restructured Jackson’s 5-year, $260 deal from 2022 this past March, incorporating a voided year and reducing the 2026 cap hit to $34.39 million.
Though both Jackson and the Ravens organization remain quiet about his long-term status in Baltimore, the quarterback made his preferences clear Wednesday, stating his allegiance to purple and black.
“Absolutely. I love the Ravens. I love this organization. I love this city,” Jackson declared. “This is the team that drafted me. I love Baltimore. Everyone should know that by now.”
A Brazilian senator seeking his country’s presidency conducted high-level diplomatic meetings in Washington this week, including sessions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday.
Senator Flavio Bolsonaro confirmed the Wednesday meetings occurred one day after he visited President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
These Washington visits take place while the senator faces political turbulence following his admission that he solicited funds from a banker, who is now imprisoned, to finance a documentary about his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. The senator maintains his innocence regarding any misconduct.
Public opinion surveys show the senator’s support has declined since this controversy became public knowledge this month, though he continues to run neck-and-neck with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in projected runoff scenarios for the October presidential race.
According to the senator, his conversations with American officials this week covered topics including combating organized crime, rare earth minerals, and freedom of expression issues.
Bolsonaro revealed that his father’s medical situation was also discussed during the meetings, including the Oval Office session with Trump. His father is currently under house arrest while serving a 27-year prison term following his conviction for attempting to orchestrate a coup.
President Lula had previously met with Trump at the White House earlier this month.
Thousands of Southern California residents who fled their homes when a chemical storage tank overheated are back in their neighborhoods, but many remain anxious about living close to an aerospace facility with a troubled safety record.
Last week, approximately 50,000 people were forced to leave their homes in and around the Orange County community when a cooling system malfunction caused authorities to warn of a possible devastating blast. The storage container eventually developed a crack that released pressure naturally, allowing the temperature to stabilize without additional measures and enabling people to return.
Bobbi-Lee Smart came back to her residence on Monday but keeps her luggage, pet carriers and vital paperwork prepared for a quick departure if necessary.
“I won’t even open the doors and windows in my house because I don’t know for sure that the air is safe,” said Smart, who lives in Anaheim, next to Garden Grove. “How do we know it is stable?”
The same day California officials ended the last evacuation warnings, a separate chemical container burst at a mill facility in Washington state, resulting in fatalities and missing persons in another dangerous industrial incident.
The storage vessel at GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, a manufacturer of aircraft cockpit windows, canopies and windshields, holds between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a highly combustible substance. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, contact with this chemical can lead to severe breathing difficulties, nervous system damage and irritation of skin, eyes and throat.
Orange County Fire Capt. Brian Yau reported Wednesday that the container’s temperature stayed steady at 91 degrees without requiring sprinkler cooling.
“The team will continually monitor the temperature,” Yau said.
Public health authorities have told residents no pollution or toxic gases escaped, and they plan to continue air quality testing for several months while also examining sewage and storm drainage systems.
Smart believes the business should have faced greater oversight given its violation history. She wants the company to relocate from the crowded, working-class area filled with family businesses, but only after providing compensation to residents and local business owners.
“The reality is the company has broken the public trust,” Smart said.
The United Kingdom-based GKN Aerospace stated it is working with officials and partnering with charitable organizations to assist community recovery efforts.
Legal action filed on behalf of a nearby couple claims the company failed to shield neighbors from “foreseeable chemical releases, toxic vapor migration, evacuation conditions, and catastrophic industrial failures.”
The legal complaint states residents experienced strong chemical smells, breathing problems, headaches and dizziness, leaving them concerned about ongoing risks.
During Tuesday evening’s city council session, community members questioned why the chemical facility was permitted to operate in such close proximity to residential areas.
The Orange County District Attorney’s office has opened an investigation. Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein promised the company would face consequences for its actions.
In the previous year, GKN paid state regulatory agencies over $900,000 to resolve violations related to record maintenance, permit problems and nitrogen oxide emissions, based on documentation from the South Coast Air Quality Management District website.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has conducted four inspections of the company’s facility since 2018, discovering 10 violations according to public documents reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. Additional details about these violations were not readily accessible.
During 2019, the California Department of Industrial Relations asked an Orange County Superior Court judge to require the company to pay $2,898 in outstanding civil fines.
The violation, detailed in court documents obtained by the Times, accused the company of failing in April 2018 to “ensure that all machinery and equipment in service were inspected or maintained as recommended by the manufacturer.”
None of the documented violations appear connected to the overheated storage tank incident.
Purdue University engineering professor Andrew Whelton indicated the container would probably need replacement.
Whelton noted the California emergency resembles a 2014 chemical leak in Charleston, West Virginia, where storage containers failed at a Freedom Industries facility. That spill forced the state capital and surrounding communities to stop using tap water for multiple days. Local businesses temporarily closed and hundreds sought emergency medical care for symptoms ranging from nausea to skin rashes.
The West Virginia incident led to new state legislation mandating increased inspections and registration requirements for above-ground storage containers. Freedom Industries later filed for bankruptcy and two executives received federal prison sentences on pollution charges.
Soccer’s international governing body FIFA is facing legal scrutiny over dramatically inflated World Cup ticket costs and sales methods that supporters claim resulted in unfavorable purchases.
Top prosecutors from New York and New Jersey, the state set to host eight tournament games including the championship match, revealed Tuesday they are examining whether FIFA’s ticket sales practices broke consumer protection regulations.
Legal officials have issued subpoenas to the worldwide soccer organization seeking details about various ticketing concerns, including FIFA’s implementation of “variable pricing” systems that caused ticket costs to skyrocket for most games and revised venue layouts that supporters claim moved their seats away from the field.
The prosecutors, collaborating with the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, indicated their investigation centers mainly on ticketing procedures for games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said. “No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive.”
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport accused FIFA of turning the act of buying a World Cup ticket “into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices.” It’s an honor for New Jersey to host the World Cup, she said, “but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors.”
FIFA declined to comment.
The tournament begins June 11 with games in Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico. The opening game at the approximately 82,000-capacity MetLife Stadium — temporarily called New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament — features Brazil facing Morocco on June 13.
Certain seats for the July 19 championship are selling for almost $33,000.
Last week, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revealed that 1,000 tickets — roughly 150 tickets for each MetLife Stadium contest, not including the championship — will be offered to city residents through a lottery process costing $50 per ticket.
FIFA had earlier offered some $60 tickets for every game, distributing them via the national organizations of the competing teams.
A family-owned Iowa seed company has filed a federal lawsuit claiming Bayer engaged in illegal tactics to dominate the American market for genetically modified corn seeds, allegedly earning “hundreds of millions, if not billions, of ill-gotten dollars.”
The legal action by Latham Quality targets the concentrated U.S. seed industry as the current administration examines anti-competitive practices in agricultural supply chains. The Germany-based pharmaceutical and agricultural giant already faces thousands of separate lawsuits claiming its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer.
According to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri last month and made public Tuesday, Bayer artificially inflated costs for farmers and independent seed companies by dominating the market for corn seeds engineered to withstand Roundup.
“Bayer has the power to control market prices and exclude competition,” the lawsuit stated. “In fact, it does so.”
The civil case seeks class-action status and requests triple damages for losses allegedly suffered by Latham and similar companies. American crop producers have been grappling with elevated expenses for seeds, fuel and fertilizer while confronting a fourth consecutive year of declining profit margins.
Bayer, which purchased American seed manufacturer Monsanto in 2018, responded Wednesday that it considers the claims without merit and will address them through the court system. The company maintained it operates fairly across all areas of its agricultural operations while following applicable regulations.
“The crop input and corn seed markets are competitive, fair and diverse,” Bayer stated.
The Department of Justice announced last week that Bayer eliminated potentially anti-competitive elements from a loyalty program designed for independent seed companies that license its technology for seed production.
The lawsuit centers on corn seeds called NK603, which Bayer controls. Nearly all genetically engineered hybrid corn seeds distributed in America contain the NK603 characteristic that provides Roundup resistance, the complaint noted. Federal estimates indicate approximately 92% of corn acreage utilizes herbicide-tolerant seeds.
Despite Bayer’s final patent on NK603 expiring in 2022, demand has remained strong while no meaningful competition has developed, according to the filing.
“This is the direct result of Bayer’s anti-competitive conduct to maintain its monopoly,” the complaint alleged.
The lawsuit claims Bayer blocked independent seed companies from utilizing its genetic seed material to create competing generic corn products even after the NK603 patent lapsed. The company also continued collecting royalties on seeds grown from its genetic material and increased licensing costs for companies like Latham.
Latham had licensed rights from Bayer or Monsanto to incorporate NK603 into corn seeds that Latham manufactured and sold to farmers. When Latham began developing its own corn seeds that would compete with Bayer’s offerings, a Bayer representative allegedly warned the company to “stay 100% loyal to Bayer.”
After Latham continued its competitive efforts, Bayer brand sales representatives retaliated by using confidential information to steal the company’s customers, pushing Latham toward bankruptcy, the lawsuit claimed.
“Unfortunately, many independent companies are going out of business as these multinational companies have become more powerful and frankly predatory,” John Latham, president of Latham Quality, testified to a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on competition in the seed and fertilizer sectors in October.
Bayer’s Crop Science division, which encompasses seeds, reported first-quarter earnings that increased 17.9% to 3 billion euros ($3.49 billion).
Professional golfer Justin Thomas was questioning whether his career at golf’s highest level could continue before he stepped onto the course at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in early March this season.
Thomas had received microdiscectomy surgery to address persistent hip discomfort, forcing an early end to his 2025 campaign in mid-November. Despite missing the cut at Bay Hill, completing 36 holes without pain validated his choice and the challenging, uncertain path back to full health.
“I had confidence and belief and faith in what I was doing was the best thing for me and my career,” said Thomas on Wednesday before he tees it up for the ninth time this season at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth Texas.
“And that’s, you know, after all the information, everything that I had kind of gathered and talking, reading, whatever you want to call it, I felt like that was what it was. So it wasn’t necessarily a moment after the fact, because I felt like I had already kind of committed to that. But it’s also not something of like once you’ve hit that first driver and it feels good you’re like, OK, I’m good the rest of my life, I don’t have to worry about this ever again. It’s like everything, it’s a process and you got to keep working on it.”
Seven days after that tournament, Thomas placed T8 at the Players Championship. He advanced past the cut at the Masters, and recently carded a 5-under par 65 to claim a tie for fourth place at the PGA Championship.
The 33-year-old Thomas captured the 2017 and 2022 PGA Championships as part of his 16 tour victories. He sat out last week but will return to Colonial CC for his first appearance there since 2022.
“Yeah, probably wasn’t quite as much relaxing as it maybe could have gone for,” said Thomas. “But to go out there and play the round I did when I knew I needed to was great and, yeah, last week just was really a couple days off and then back to the grind.”
When asked about his tournament selection process amid ongoing talks about elevated PGA Tour events, Thomas explained his approach.
“Everybody’s different. I would say the most, the first and foremost, most important thing that a lot of the top guys… anybody that’s in the majors, you’re going to at least I would think, is what’s going to prepare me the best for the major,” he said. “So like I’ve had success in majors when I play the week before.
“So it’s very situational of when you play, don’t play in that regard. But I mean I really, really, really try with all my might to not do four in a row. Four in a row is like I’m not fun to be around. It’s very taxing. So I try to cap it at three. And, yeah, there’s a lot of great tournaments, we’re very fortunate to have to miss some great events, but you have to at some point. So just kind of start with the majors and fill it in here and there, I guess.”
Thomas is grouped with Russell Henley and Korea’s Sungjae Im for an 8:06 a.m. local time Thursday start.
Ben Griffin captured the Charles Schwab Challenge by one stroke over Germany’s Matti Schmid in 2025.
The Texas Rangers made the decision Wednesday to designate veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen for assignment, dealing a significant setback to the 39-year-old’s professional baseball career.
The former National League MVP once ranked among baseball’s elite players, earning National League All-Star honors for five straight years while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2011 through 2015. However, his performance declined in recent years, and this season with Texas proved particularly challenging as he managed only a .192 batting average with a single home run and five runs batted in across 37 games, while recording 22 strikeouts in 73 plate appearances.
In a related roster move, Texas brought aboard infielder Nicky Lopez on a one-year contract. Lopez had appeared in just four games with the Chicago Cubs, going hitless in five at-bats before Chicago designated him for assignment this past Sunday.
McCutchen joined the Rangers organization in March as a free agent and is currently in his 18th major league campaign. Throughout his career, he has accumulated 333 home runs, 1,157 RBIs, and 220 stolen bases while maintaining a .271 batting average over 2,299 games. His career has taken him through multiple organizations including the Pirates (2009-17, 2023-25), San Francisco Giants (2018), New York Yankees (2018), Philadelphia Phillies (2019-21), and Milwaukee Brewers (2022). Pittsburgh originally selected him as the 11th overall choice in the 2005 amateur draft.
Lopez, who is 31 years old, brings a .245 career batting average along with seven home runs and 153 RBIs accumulated over 690 games during eight professional seasons. His career has included stops with the Kansas City Royals (2019-23), Atlanta Braves (2023), Chicago White Sox (2024), Los Angeles Angels (2025), and Cubs (2025-26). His best statistical season came in 2021 when he posted a .300 batting average across 151 games for Kansas City.
Venezuela’s interim government has selected U.S. financial firm Centerview Partners to guide the country’s massive debt restructuring effort without conducting a formal competitive bidding process, according to eight individuals familiar with the selection.
The oil-rich nation is working to overhaul more than $150 billion in debt obligations. When interim President Delcy Rodriguez’s administration announced this initiative, officials promised transparency that would distinguish their approach from past governments.
However, the selection of Centerview Partners as financial adviser has sparked concerns about fairness and openness among investors and government officials. The firm, which has grown in recent years by recruiting talent from established companies like Lazard, stands to earn tens of millions in advisory fees from this prestigious assignment.
Centerview will develop Venezuela’s financial strategy and lead negotiations on debt that the country stopped paying under former President Nicolas Maduro in 2017. The restructuring involves billions of dollars in obligations expected to be reduced, with the final amount determining the nation’s financial stability and economic recovery prospects.
Questions have emerged about investor Mauricio Claver-Carone’s involvement in securing Centerview’s appointment, according to seven sources. Claver-Carone served as a Latin America envoy during portions of President Donald Trump’s first and second terms but currently holds no official government position.
When asked about the absence of a competitive selection process, Claver-Carone told Reuters: “How does an open process work in Venezuela? What else right now has an open bidding?” He added that the Venezuelan government had discussions with other firms. “We want American firms that can work with the U.S. government, that have worked with the U.S. government, that can be trusted.”
Claver-Carone confirmed he has been assisting the U.S. government with Venezuela policy implementation since July. He said he provided his opinion about Centerview when Rodriguez and other officials sought his views, though he did not formally endorse the company.
A Centerview spokesperson stated: “Centerview was hired by Venezuela because our team is the world leader, with unique experience working on the largest sovereign-debt restructurings and no conflicts of interest.” The spokesperson emphasized that Claver-Carone “was not involved in our pitch for the business and we don’t have any financial or other relationship” with him.
Venezuelan government officials did not respond to requests for comment.
A State Department spokesperson described Claver-Carone as an expert with regional connections who “as a good U.S. citizen, routinely consults and shares his perceptions with U.S. officials.”
The U.S. capture of Maduro on January 3 created opportunities to reopen the Latin American nation, which possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, following years of severe sanctions and economic decline.
Washington’s licensing authority and influence in global financial and energy markets provide significant control over Venezuela’s economy, affecting investment decisions and trade relationships. Numerous investors and advisers have traveled to Caracas seeking business opportunities.
The capital’s luxury hotels are filled with investors exploring deals involving real estate, furniture, and rare earth minerals. While preliminary agreements are being signed, legal uncertainty and high asset valuations make it unclear how many will become final contracts, according to four lawyers and financial advisers.
Centerview representatives met with Venezuelan officials as early as February and made multiple trips through May, three sources reported.
Veteran banker Matthieu Pigasse leads Centerview’s team, which includes Charles Albinet and Hamouda Chekir. The group brings extensive sovereign debt restructuring experience, having advised countries from Argentina to Congo Republic to Greece, which involved the largest sovereign debt restructuring in history.
Pigasse, 58, is a prominent French banker often described as “left-leaning” in media coverage. His clients have included major corporations L’Oreal and Kering. The self-described punk music enthusiast owns media holding Combat in France and maintains ownership in newspaper Le Monde.
Recently, Pigasse has made media appearances opposing what he characterizes as expanding right-leaning media influence in France.
Regarding Centerview’s selection, Pigasse told Reuters: “I have known Delcy Rodriguez and worked with her for the past 15 years.”
Pigasse began his career at Lazard, where he worked alongside Chekir and Albinet advising governments. However, major debt advisory firms including Lazard, Rothschild and Alvarez & Marsal were not formally invited to compete for the Venezuela assignment, according to four sources.
Selecting an adviser without a formal competitive process is uncommon, three sources noted. Officials from Lazard, Rothschild and Alvarez & Marsal declined to provide comments.
Some observers point to Claver-Carone’s influence in the selection. He currently serves as managing partner of LARA, the Latin America Real Assets Opportunity Fund, which invests in energy, infrastructure and industrial projects throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
His apparent government backing despite lacking formal authority has created concerns among investors and Venezuelan political figures, sources said.
Claver-Carone explained that his business partner, Jessica Bedoya, a former colleague from his time leading the Inter-American Development Bank, met with Rodriguez regarding U.S. policy relationships and security matters.
With diplomatic relations being reestablished, Claver-Carone said he expects his informal role to conclude soon. He confirmed having no financial interests in Venezuela or Centerview.
Bondholders anticipate Venezuela will maintain momentum and reach a creditor agreement by the end of 2027.
The Department of Defense revealed Wednesday it has signed a massive five-year software contract worth $9.69 billion designed to bring together Microsoft and other enterprise software licenses that have been spread across military branches, intelligence agencies, and the U.S. Coast Guard under one unified agreement, according to officials.
This cost-reduction initiative provides Microsoft with a guaranteed enterprise-wide presence throughout the U.S. armed forces while eliminating redundant expenditures that officials say had steadily grown over years of scattered, independent purchasing practices.
The agreement, known as the Core Enterprise Technology Agreement, does not represent additional spending since multiple Pentagon software contracts were set to renew at the same time. The funding comes from current budgets already being utilized to buy Microsoft 365 subscriptions — which include email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other applications — as well as cloud subscriptions and on-premises licensing, bringing them together under one umbrella where the department’s complete purchasing power can be leveraged to reduce expenses.
The Federal Reserve’s internal oversight office announced Wednesday it is conducting a review of procedures used by the central bank’s Board of Governors when reappointing regional Federal Reserve presidents and their second-in-command officers to five-year terms.
According to a press release from the Inspector General, the examination will determine whether the Washington-based board’s procedures “to approve the reappointment of Reserve Bank presidents and first vice presidents aligns with relevant Federal Reserve Administrative Manual requirements and leading practices.”
The oversight office also indicated it would evaluate “the quality and completeness of executive performance evaluations and other potentially relevant information necessary to assess the merits of a reappointment.”
The IG did not respond immediately to requests for additional details about the investigation or its timing.
Scrutiny of the reappointment procedures has intensified following U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive pressure campaign against the Fed, with some observers fearing it could be used to push out regional policymakers who declined to back his demands for interest rate cuts.
This investigation represents one of several reviews the IG is pursuing, including a high-profile examination launched late last year into cost overruns associated with the renovation of the Fed’s headquarters in Washington. That investigation, which the government has since closed and turned over to the Fed’s IG, became a major flashpoint between the central bank, then-Fed chief Jerome Powell, and the Trump administration.
The IG has maintained for some time a separate examination into how Fed regional bank presidents and their seconds-in-command are selected. That process has been criticized for its opacity and limited opportunity for public comment.
The 12 regional Fed banks are quasi-private institutions overseen by local boards drawn from the private sector. Those boards select new presidents subject to the approval of the central bank. The regional bank presidents help set monetary policy, collect local economic intelligence and provide services to the financial sector.
They undergo a reappointment process every five years for new terms that in almost all cases sees them retaining their jobs.
The most recent reappointment cycle concluded late last year, with the Fed’s board unanimously approving the 11 officials up for reappointment. It also reappointed the Atlanta Fed’s first vice president, Cheryl Venable, who is serving as acting president until it finds a successor for Raphael Bostic, who retired earlier this year.
The previous reappointment cycle occurred before a trading controversy at the central bank that led to the departure of several of its policymakers. The Fed was criticized in some quarters for not spotting the financial issues during the reappraisal period, although then-Fed Governor Lael Brainard described the review process as “rigorous.”
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama delivered a subdued performance during Game 5 of the Western Conference finals and chose not to address the media following the contest.
The San Antonio Spurs are undoubtedly counting on witnessing a transformed player when they take the court Thursday evening.
The sixth game of the Western Conference championship series approaches, with San Antonio — confronting their first elimination scenario of these playoffs — preparing to welcome the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder to their home court. The Thunder hold a 3-2 series advantage and would maintain home-court benefit should a seventh game become necessary this Saturday.
“I think we’ll be fine,” Spurs forward Julian Champagnie said. “I think we’ll be ready to play next game. Obviously, it’s a win-or-go-home situation, so I’m 100% sure everybody’s going to come to play.”
This expectation extends to Wembanyama, who managed just 20 points — his lowest output of the series — during Tuesday’s Game 5 defeat in Oklahoma City. He declined to meet with media members following that contest, resulting in the NBA issuing him a warning Wednesday for failing to meet his media responsibilities.
San Antonio would undoubtedly prefer Wembanyama express himself through his play Thursday night. Ensuring he receives more than 15 shooting opportunities will be essential, according to Spurs coach Mitch Johnson.
“That’s probably the easiest (adjustment) in terms of just surface-level stuff,” Johnson said. “He’ll definitely need to take more shots.”
Numerous technical and sophisticated modifications occur throughout a playoff series, particularly during a competitive back-and-forth battle like this Western Conference final has proven to be.
Strategic approaches can appear quite complex. However, for Oklahoma City, their strategy entering a potential series-clinching Game 6 against San Antonio follows a straightforward approach.
“We’ve got to understand what’s going on,” Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said.
The situation is clear: San Antonio will battle for their postseason survival, supported by their home crowd hoping to witness their team extend the season for at least another game.
This competitive series — where San Antonio captured Game 1, Oklahoma City claimed Games 2 and 3, the Spurs bounced back in Game 4, and the Thunder responded in Game 5 — has now entered the elimination phase for San Antonio.
“We’ve been great when we’re desperate all year,” Spurs guard Stephon Castle said. “I can’t wait to see how we respond.”
Oklahoma City holds a perfect 2-0 record in elimination opportunities this season, securing Game 4 victories on opposing courts against both Phoenix in the opening round and the Los Angeles Lakers in round two. They finished 4-2 in closeout situations last season while capturing the NBA championship.
San Antonio successfully navigated elimination games in their previous two playoff series before this season, though they eventually fell in both of those matchups.
Betting lines suggest a seventh game is anticipated. They’ve established San Antonio as a 3.5-point home favorite for Game 6, indicating the series would return to Oklahoma City for a final deciding contest.
The Thunder remain the betting favorites to claim the NBA championship.
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball players launched their initial bargaining position Wednesday in what’s anticipated to be challenging labor contract talks, requesting broader free agency rules and salary arbitration eligibility alongside nearly doubling minimum wages and enhancing revenue distribution from high-earning teams to smaller-market franchises.
One day ahead of Major League Baseball’s anticipated salary cap presentation, the players’ union detailed their opening economic demands during negotiations at the union’s Manhattan headquarters.
The current labor agreement concludes December 1, with MLB anticipated to implement a lockout, which serves as management’s version of a work stoppage under federal labor regulations.
“Attendance, viewership, interest — by any measure you want to use, our game is moving in a positive direction,” Baltimore pitcher Chris Bassitt, a member of the union’s eight-man executive subcommittee, said in a statement. “We’ve put forward proposals designed to continue that trend. Support, incentivize, and reward clubs who are committed to competing, especially small-market clubs. Compensate players fairly for the work they are doing.”
MLB obviously opposes the union’s presentation and argues the union’s strategy would reduce revenue distribution.
“We understand their proposals are designed to benefit players. Unfortunately, they do not address and in fact exacerbate the competitive balance problem our fans are telling us we must address,” MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement. “The MLBPA’s proposal would reduce the amount transferred to lower-revenue clubs, weaken the competitive balance tax and lead to even more payroll disparity than exists today. For example, under the union’s proposal, the Dodgers would pay less in luxury tax payments, giving them an additional $70 million to spend on payroll.”
Marcus Semien and Sean Manaea of the Mets and Eugenio Suárez of Cincinnati were present for the meeting while additional players joined virtually.
“The players’ proposals provide increased revenue sharing initially guaranteeing every small-market club a minimum of $240 million in revenue every season,” interim union head Bruce Meyer, who replaced Tony Clark in February, said in a statement. “This enhanced revenue sharing includes added protections to ensure clubs prioritize winning over profiteering.”
Key proposal elements include raising the luxury tax ceiling from this season’s $244 million to $300 million by 2027, followed by $15 million annual increases. Draft pick penalties would be removed, and surcharge rates would decrease from the current 110% maximum to 10% above previous levels.
Free agency qualification, unchanged at six major league seasons since 1976, would drop to five seasons for players reaching age 30 by November 1. Teams could retain such players through qualifying offers, with refusal leading to arbitration eligibility.
Minimum salaries would jump from this year’s $780,000 to $1.5 million next season and $2.2 million by 2031.
Salary arbitration access would broaden with teams required to offer eligible players at least $3 million. The eligibility threshold moved from two to three years in 1986, with the super 2 classification beginning in 1991 at 17% and reaching 22% in 2013. The union proposes expanding this to 44%. Additionally, arbitration panel decisions would guarantee salaries, with some comparison salaries valued at 120%.
The pre-arbitration bonus fund, set at $50 million in the current 2022-26 agreement, would grow to $180 million next year with subsequent $15 million annual increases. Players signing multiyear contracts within their first 21 major league days would lose eligibility.
The qualifying offer system for six-year service players would end. This mechanism has limited some free agent markets since its 2012 introduction due to signing team penalties.
The amateur draft lottery would expand from six to eight teams.
Service time manipulation prevention rules from 2022 would broaden, including full service year credit for eligible prospects finishing top five in MVP balloting.
Lower-revenue franchises losing free agents would receive enhanced compensation, while low-revenue teams would gain additional draft picks.
A competitive integrity levy would target teams spending below 50% of the minimum tax threshold, with additional penalties for teams falling further behind. Franchises would face consequences for not investing received revenue-sharing funds in payrolls.
Every small-market franchise would receive guaranteed annual revenue of at least $240 million, while retaining more ballpark-generated income.
Low-revenue teams achieving winning records or playoff berths would earn additional revenue-sharing money, with local media income distributed more broadly among all teams.
The previous five-year agreement was finalized March 10, 2022, on the 99th day of a lockout, maintaining the 162-game regular season format. This marked baseball’s ninth work stoppage and first since the 7½-month strike spanning 1994-95 that cancelled the World Series for the first time since 1904.
President Donald Trump revealed Wednesday that he’s been extended an invitation to witness the New York Knicks compete in the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden next month.
Speaking to reporters, Trump shared that Knicks owner James Dolan has offered him tickets to watch the Eastern Conference champions face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs when the series comes to New York.
The Knicks are set to host the third and fourth games of the finals on June 8 and June 10, respectively. New York has been on a remarkable postseason run, winning 11 consecutive playoff games after completing a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.
The president, who hails from New York, had originally considered attending the fifth game of the conference finals at Madison Square Garden, but the Knicks wrapped up the series before that became necessary. Trump praised Dolan as a “great guy” and expressed admiration for the team’s performance.
“Boy, what a team,” Trump remarked. “They have some really great players.”
The president described the franchise’s first finals appearance since 1999 as “great to see.”
“The Knicks have really suffered for years,” Trump commented, drawing laughter from reporters. “They’re doing (well) right now.”
Throughout his political career, Trump has frequently attended major sporting events, including the College Football Playoff championship and a primetime NFL matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets just before the 2024 election.
Madison Square Garden has long been known for attracting celebrity fans to courtside seats, including filmmaker Spike Lee, who has previously had public disagreements with Trump.
Legal representatives for Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor now working as an independent journalist, filed court documents Wednesday requesting access to grand jury transcripts from his federal civil rights case, pointing to a pattern of prosecutorial misconduct nationwide as justification for the unusual request.
The former television host entered a not guilty plea in February to federal civil rights charges connected to a demonstration at a Minnesota church in January, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as pastor. Lemon is among 39 individuals facing charges related to the January incident.
Lemon maintains his presence at Cities Church in St. Paul on Jan. 18 was strictly professional, stating he was there to document the protest as a journalist rather than participate in it.
Working alongside fellow independent journalist Georgia Fort, Lemon submitted a motion in February requesting access to grand jury transcripts that led to indictments against them and seven other individuals.
In their most recent submission to U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Lemon’s legal team contends that “the past 15 months have seen an unprecedented and growing distrust in the Justice Department’s use of the grand jury process,” making the release of his grand jury transcripts necessary.
“In the past two weeks alone, several courts have chastised Justice Department prosecutors for irregularities in the grand jury process and gone so far as to dismiss indictments for grand jury misconduct,” Lemon’s attorneys stated in Wednesday’s filing.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Lemon references the May 21 dismissal of all pending charges against four remaining activists who protested outside a federal building during last year’s immigration crackdown in Chicago. The dismissal came after a judge scrutinized allegations of grand jury misconduct by the prosecutor’s office.
Lemon also references the May 15 dismissal of nine felony grand jury indictments by three federal judges in Wyoming. The judges cited misconduct by the interim U.S. attorney that could have prejudiced the jurors, including comments he made to the grand jurors.
Lemon cites a third case out of Rhode Island where a federal judge on May 13 blocked the Trump administration’s sweeping demands for confidential transgender patient information from the state’s largest hospital that provides gender-affirming care to minors.
In that case, the judge rebuked actions by prosecutors, saying the Justice Department can no longer be trusted to enforce its power fairly and honestly.
Additionally, Lemon’s legal team highlighted the rejection of search warrants requested by the Justice Department for Lemon’s YouTube channel and account, as well as cellphone data for four other defendants. The magistrate judge determined the government failed to demonstrate probable cause that evidence of criminal activity would be discovered through the requested searches.
The search warrants were rejected in February, but the court record was unsealed on Tuesday.
Multiple judges — including Minnesota’s chief federal judge — determined there was insufficient probable cause to support the initial complaints prosecutors attempted to file against the two journalists, leading them to decline signing arrest warrants for Lemon or Fort before the government pursued grand jury proceedings.
Lemon’s legal representatives contend they deserve access to grand jury records due to the “checkered history of this case” and “numerous examples of grand jury misconduct by DOJ around the country.”
Lemon is “entitled to see whether the government allowed the grand jury to serve its role or whether, as elsewhere, the government interfered with the proper function of the grand jury,” his attorneys argued.
Federal aviation officials have suspended all SpaceX Starship rocket launches while they investigate problems that occurred during last week’s test mission.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that the hour-long test flight from last Friday constituted a mishap due to issues with the massive rocket’s first-stage booster performance.
Following Friday’s liftoff from Texas, the booster detached normally but suffered engine failures during its return journey to Earth. Rather than executing a planned controlled landing in the Gulf of Mexico, the booster crashed into the water. The FAA reported no injuries or property damage occurred and will supervise the company’s investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the upper spacecraft successfully completed its mission around Earth, deploying 20 test satellites before concluding with an intentional fiery descent into the Indian Ocean as scheduled.
Standing 407 feet tall, this rocket represents the largest and most powerful version yet of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s Starship vehicle, engineered to transport crews to Mars. NASA plans to use this spacecraft for lunar astronaut missions beginning as early as 2028 and to establish a moon base.
Global equity markets achieved fresh record highs Wednesday as investors navigated mixed developments regarding possible U.S.-Iran diplomatic negotiations while preparing for Thursday’s critical U.S. inflation report.
Major American markets including the S&P 500, U.S. dollar, and Treasury bonds showed minimal movement as traders processed contradictory information about potential peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Market analyst Jamie McGeever examined parallels between today’s artificial intelligence investment surge – described as the biggest on record – and the internet bubble of the late 1990s. While acknowledging increasing risks, McGeever suggested that a market collapse may not be immediate or certain.
Conflicting reports emerged Wednesday regarding diplomatic progress. Iranian state television referenced an unofficial agreement framework that would potentially reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days. However, U.S. officials dismissed this as a “complete fabrication.” Despite the contradictions, markets responded as though negotiations were advancing, with oil prices dropping below $100 per barrel and stocks maintaining record levels.
Thursday brings the release of April’s Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation data, marking the first significant inflation report during Kevin Warsh’s tenure at the Federal Reserve. Economic forecasters anticipate headline annual PCE inflation will climb to 3.8%, matching headline Consumer Price Index figures, while core annual rates are expected to reach 3.3% – significantly above the 2.8% core CPI reading.
Speculation about resolving the U.S.-Iran conflict has reduced oil prices, bond yields, and Federal Reserve rate expectations, though traders still assign equal odds to a rate increase before year’s end.
Wednesday’s market performance showed South Korea surging 3% to new highs while China declined 1%. European markets remained flat with the UK gaining 0.1%. Wall Street presented mixed results as the Dow Jones and Russell 2000 posted new records while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq stayed essentially unchanged.
Individual stock movements varied significantly, with consumer discretionary sectors rising 1.9% while energy fell 1.5%. Notable decliners included Zscaler dropping 31%, Qualcomm falling 9%, and JPMorgan Chase down 2.4%. Gainers featured United Airlines climbing 6% and Procter & Gamble advancing 3%.
Currency markets saw the dollar index hold steady while New Zealand’s dollar led major currency gains with a 1% increase. The Japanese yen reached four-week lows, returning to levels that might prompt intervention.
Central banking developments globally showed increasing hawkish sentiment. New Zealand’s Reserve Bank maintained current rates in a split decision signaling potential future increases, following rate hikes in Australia and Norway. This trend reflects similar hawkish guidance from European Central Bank officials and shifting Federal Reserve tone.
Emerging market central banks also tightened policy, with Sri Lanka surprising markets with a 100 basis point increase this week, while Brazil’s easing trajectory faced complications from persistent inflation pressures.
Thursday’s calendar includes potential Middle East developments, South Korea’s interest rate decision, speeches from Bank of Japan and European Central Bank officials, eurozone confidence data, Canadian current account figures, U.S. jobless claims, PCE inflation data, durable goods orders, GDP estimates, Treasury auctions, and Federal Reserve official remarks.
The Chicago Stars dismissed general manager Richard Feuz on Wednesday following the team’s disappointing performance that has left them languishing near the bottom of the NWSL table with the worst goal differential in the league at minus-17.
Currently holding a 3-8-0 record for nine points, the Stars occupy 15th place in the 16-team league. This follows their last-place finish among 14 teams in 2025 with a 3-12-11 record totaling 20 points. This season, Chicago has managed just five goals while conceding 22, making them both the lowest-scoring and most porous defensive team in the league.
“What we hope for in a league like this is to be competitive,” Stars president Karen Leetzow told reporters on Wednesday, per ESPN. “You want to be in playoff contention all the time.”
“But at the very least, you need to have a compelling product on the pitch. I don’t think we have either this year. And that is not for lack of trying. That’s why we are disappointed with the outcome and why we decided to make the change that we made today.”
During Feuz’s tenure as general manager since his appointment in February 2024, the Stars compiled a 16-34-13 record in regular season play and 17-36-14 across all competitions. The team did secure a playoff berth in his first season as the eighth seed.
Head coach Martin Sjogren joined the organization in August 2025 but was unable to begin coaching duties until this season due to previous commitments in Sweden.
Speaking about the coaching staff on Wednesday, Leetzow stated that “right now, we’re confident in Martin and Martin’s process,” adding that “we feel good about the coaches we have.”
The general manager responsibilities will be shared among Leetzow, assistant general manager Beatrice Caliani, and director of soccer operations Olivia Wynn until a permanent replacement is found.
“We are seeking an experienced sporting leader who brings a proven track record of building competitive rosters and aligning organizations around a clear vision,” Leetzow said in a news release on Wednesday. “We are grateful for Richard’s dedication to the Stars and for his work in attracting world-class talent to Chicago.”
MEXICO CITY, May 27 – Latin America’s leading telecommunications company America Movil has revealed its business strategy extending to 2028, projecting consistent financial expansion while maintaining capital investments at roughly $7 billion annually, based on information from a J.P. Morgan analyst note.
The company’s investor presentation took place behind closed doors without media access. A company spokesperson did not provide immediate confirmation of the reported financial projections when contacted for comment.
During the New York investor meeting, America Movil forecasted annual service revenue growth averaging between 4.0% and 5.0% from 2026 through 2028. The company also expects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to climb by 4.5% to 6.0% each year during this timeframe.
The telecommunications leader intends to maintain its yearly capital expenditures near $7 billion, representing a total investment of $21 billion across the three-year span. Company leadership explained this spending level is achievable since America Movil has largely finished acquiring expensive radio spectrum licenses needed for its 5G infrastructure.
This consistent investment approach is projected to produce substantial cash flow, which the company plans to allocate toward corporate acquisitions, debt reduction, and shareholder returns.
Leadership confirmed they are pursuing potential acquisition targets, specifically noting interest in financially distressed internet service providers operating in Brazil and telecommunications companies located in Eastern European nations including Serbia and Slovenia.
Regarding major markets such as Brazil and Colombia, company executives expressed an “aspiration to join the club of 50,” describing their long-range objective of reaching 50% profit margins in these regions.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is setting his sights on a Week 1 comeback as he continues his recovery from a torn Achilles that ended his season last November.
Six months after undergoing surgery, Jones participated in individual workouts and throwing sessions during the team’s voluntary organized activities in Indianapolis. The quarterback confirmed his goal to serve as the starter when Indianapolis hosts Baltimore for their season opener in September and intends to take part in all training camp activities.
“Absolutely,” Jones stated. “Definitely still work to be done and progress to be made. So, I think it’s just continuing to get stronger, continuing to run faster, cut harder. And progress kind of, according to the program.”
Head coach Shane Steichen remains open to possibilities with Anthony Richardson, who continues seeking a trade after Indianapolis chose to recommit to Jones. While Steichen noted Richardson maintains his desire for a new opportunity elsewhere, the team allowed him to practice with the offense Wednesday since “there’s the potential he could” remain with Indianapolis next season.
While Jones was expected to primarily observe during early organized team activities, Steichen anticipated his gradual integration into full participation.
“I’m actually not surprised, just because of the way he works,” Steichen commented.
Jones began the previous season strongly, helping Indianapolis to an 8-2 record while competing for the AFC’s top playoff position before injuries derailed their campaign – a recurring theme from his tenure with the New York Giants.
Indianapolis committed to continuing with Jones by securing him with a two-year, $88 million contract, avoiding another search for a franchise quarterback.
Riley Leonard remains with the team after Indianapolis brought Philip Rivers out of retirement to start in December when Jones was injured, Richardson dealt with an eye issue, and Leonard battled a minor knee problem sustained while replacing Jones during a game at Jacksonville.
Seth Henigan, formerly of Memphis, represents the only other quarterback currently on the roster heading into training camp. Indianapolis added him to their practice squad on Christmas Day last season for additional depth.
Technology giant HP exceeded Wall Street projections for quarterly earnings and revenue on Wednesday, powered by robust sales of artificial intelligence-enhanced computers and ongoing Windows 11 system upgrades.
Computer manufacturers like HP, Dell Technologies and China’s Lenovo Group are dealing with a memory chip shortage as data center construction absorbs available supply and drives up costs for smartphones and computers.
This supply shortage is encouraging some businesses to purchase higher-profit premium equipment during the Windows 11 upgrade period, following Microsoft’s decision to discontinue Windows 10 support in October of last year.
A week ago, competitor Lenovo announced an unexpected 27% increase in fourth-quarter revenue, as robust consumer interest in computers ahead of possible price increases helped the world’s top computer manufacturer grow its market position.
HP’s quarterly revenue increased 9% to $14.41 billion compared to the same period last year, surpassing the LSEG-compiled analyst consensus of $14.07 billion. The company’s adjusted earnings per share of 86 cents also exceeded projections of 71 cents for the quarter that concluded April 30.
Company stock climbed as high as 15% in after-hours trading following the announcement. The shares were most recently trading up approximately 1%.
“During the second quarter, we continued executing our future of work strategy through intelligent devices, edge AI, and connected experiences while navigating rising commodity costs,” HP interim CEO Bruce Broussard said in a statement.
The corporation’s “future of work” approach emphasizes AI-enhanced computers, hybrid workplace tools and office software.
HP announced it now anticipates fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.90 to $3.10, compared with previous projections of $2.90 to $3.20.
The company forecasts third-quarter adjusted EPS between 61 cents and 71 cents, with the midpoint slightly exceeding analyst expectations of 64 cents.
President Donald Trump announced his intention to attend an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden after receiving an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan.
The president revealed he had been asked to attend Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, but New York completed a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, eliminating the Wednesday game before Trump could accept Dolan’s invitation.
“Boy, what a team,” Trump commented at the White House while taking a break from a Cabinet meeting. “I think I’ll be going to one of the games. Yeah, I was invited by numerous people.”
The Knicks have reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 and are waiting to learn their opponent from the Western Conference finals. The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder currently lead the San Antonio Spurs 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday night.
The Western Conference winner will host the Knicks on June 3 and June 5. New York will host Game 3 on June 8 and Game 4 on June 10 in the best-of-seven championship series.
Throughout his two presidential terms, Trump has made appearances at numerous major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, U.S. Open tennis tournament, Ryder Cup and Daytona 500. Most recently, he attended a UFC event at Madison Square Garden in November 2024.
Trump, a former longtime New York resident, maintains connections to both the franchise and Dolan, who also manages the arena and the NHL’s New York Rangers.
A remote detention facility situated in the Florida Everglades that has earned the nickname ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ could be shutting down in the near future due to rising operational costs.
Officials indicate that maintaining the facility in the swampland location has proven financially unsustainable, prompting discussions about potential closure.
While students across the country typically ride buses to reach their classrooms, children in the remote Alaska community of South Naknek experience a very different daily commute. For nearly four decades, pilot Jon King has been transporting students to school by aircraft on almost every school day.
The remote location of South Naknek in rural Alaska makes traditional school transportation methods impractical, leading to this unique aviation-based solution for getting students to their education.
Motorists traveling on southbound Interstate 495 are experiencing delays due to a vehicle breakdown at the Christina River Bridge location.
The right lane has been shut down to traffic while authorities work to clear the disabled vehicle from the roadway. Drivers are advised to use caution when passing through the area and expect possible delays during the cleanup process.
A Pennsylvania-based manufacturing company has issued a voluntary recall of specific batches of popular chocolate-covered snacks due to potential allergen contamination.
Bazzini, LLC, located in Allentown, PA, which serves as a co-manufacturer for the SkinnyDipped brand, announced the recall of select cases of SkinnyDipped Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Bites. The company took this precautionary step after discovering the products may contain peanuts that were not listed on the packaging.
The recall affects only a small number of product cases and was initiated out of an abundance of caution. Individuals with peanut allergies could face serious health risks if they consume the affected products.
Memorial Day weekend brought cloudy skies and overcast conditions that weren’t ideal for beach trips, but created perfect circumstances for fishing enthusiasts throughout Maryland waters.
Beginning June 1, striped bass regulations will become much simpler to follow as all Maryland sections of the Chesapeake Bay and tidal waterways will allow striped bass fishing through July 31. Anglers must follow a 19-inch to 24-inch slot restriction with a daily limit of one fish per person.
This week features a full moon – the second of the month, making it a blue moon. This lunar event will trigger the yearly May worm swarms, providing fish with abundant nutrition. Spot fish have reached many Bay areas, and fishing enthusiasts must remember they are required to use non-offset circle hooks when pursuing striped bass with live or cut bait.
Water Conditions: May 27 – June 2
NOAA monitoring stations report main Bay surface and river mouth temperatures have dropped slightly to the upper 60s and should remain steady throughout the week. Smaller waterways and streams are also maintaining temperatures in the upper 60s. Smaller streams and downwind locations on sunny days will heat up more quickly and frequently reach the low to mid 70s. As waters warm, bottom oxygen concentrations are beginning to decline. Currently, most Bay bottom waters have sufficient oxygen levels except around Quantico on the Potomac River and near the Bay Bridge.
Most Maryland rivers and streams should experience typical flow levels. Water clarity should be average for most Maryland Bay areas and rivers. Above-normal tidal movements are expected all week due to the May 31 full moon. Horseshoe crabs should begin appearing on beaches with salt levels above 6ppt for their spring mating migration.
Upper Chesapeake Bay
Weekend rainfall increased flows at the Conowingo Dam this week, where anglers are successfully targeting blue and flathead catfish in the dam pool. Blue catfish action mixed with channel catfish continues downstream along the Susquehanna and into the upper Bay. All regional tidal rivers also contain blue and channel catfish populations.
Overcast weather has created excellent striped bass fishing conditions that anglers are reporting this week. Casting paddletails and soft plastic jigs near structure and jigging along channel edges produces good results. Pooles Island, Hart-Miller Island, the Love Point rocks, the Patapsco River mouth, and Baltimore Harbor all offer productive light tackle fishing spots. Trolling umbrella rigs along 30-foot channel edges effectively locates striped bass when fish are scattered.
The season’s first spot are being caught off Sandy Point State Park, with enough numbers for live-lining striped bass. White perch are appearing at the Bay Bridge’s west end, the Magothy River mouth, and lower sections of regional tidal rivers.
Middle Bay
Striped bass fishing at Bay Bridge piers has been productive this past week and should continue. Boats anchor up-current of bridge piers on the east side and drift live spot and various baits back to pier foundations. Other anglers position near piers and cast soft plastic jigs to pier bases with good success.
Light tackle striped bass fishing is excellent for anglers casting and jigging at many traditional middle Bay locations. Eastern Bay, Poplar Island, Thomas Point, and the Choptank River mouth are among locations where casting paddletails and soft plastic jigs works well. Shallow waters are good for casting paddletails and topwater lures. Deeper channel edges are ideal for jigging with soft plastics. Bluefish have reached the middle bay region this past week, so soft plastics may get damaged.
Trolling along channel edges at approximately 30-foot depths effectively targets striped bass this week. Channel edges at Bloody Point, the Buoy 83 edge, and the False Channel are productive trolling locations. Umbrella rigs with bucktail trailers have been popular. With bluefish arriving in the region, adding Drone spoons to trolling spreads might be beneficial. Spot are arriving and anglers are already using this striped bass bait for live-lining at preferred locations.
White perch are gradually moving to summer habitat locations at tidal river and creek mouths near oyster reefs and structure including docks, piers, and submerged objects. Bottom rigs baited with grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces work well around deep structure. Casting spin jigs and small lures along promising shoreline structure provides enjoyable evening light tackle fishing.
Lower Bay
Deeper channel edge waters are being targeted by anglers jigging with soft plastic jigs or trolling with umbrella rigs along 30-foot edges. Adding several Drone spoons behind inline weights for regional bluefish is recommended. The steep Potomac channel edge from St. Georges Island to Piney Point, the lower Patuxent, and the eastern bay side from Buoy 76 to Buoy 72 deserve exploration.
Red and black drum are being found on the Bay’s eastern side from the Middle Grounds past the Target Ship and Tangier Sound. Finding them on depth finders and dropping soft crab baits is the most popular technique. Red drum can also be caught by jigging with large soft plastics or trolling large spoons behind inline weights.
Spot have arrived in the lower Patuxent River, St. Marys River, near Hoopers Island, and Tangier Sound, where anglers will begin live-lining spot near traditional channel edges. Anglers must remember to use non-offset circle hooks when targeting striped bass with live or cut bait.
White perch are steadily moving into typical summer habitats, though some report the process seems slower than previous years. Bottom rigs baited with grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces work well in deeper waters, while casting spin jigs and small lures in shallower waters provides entertaining fishing.
Blue Crabs
Many crabbers were active over the weekend during foggy and sometimes rainy conditions, attempting to provide crabs for Memorial Day Weekend gatherings. Most managed successful catches in all Bay regions. Recreational crabbers in the lower Eastern Shore performed best, with most reporting 8-12 feet of water as the optimal depth for crabs.
Freshwater Fishing
Maryland’s spring trout stocking season has concluded. Stocking began in February and finished on May 18. A total of 254,810 trout were stocked; 182,260 trout went into open waters and 72,550 were stocked during the closure period. Trout were placed in 118 waterbodies, including 53 streams and rivers and 65 lakes and ponds. The next regular trout stocking period begins in October.
Due to warming temperatures, some delayed harvest trout management waters (Group I) in central and parts of western regions will open to trout harvest from June 1 to September 30. Other areas known as Group II in the western region will open to trout harvest from June 16 to September 30. This strategy allows anglers catch-and-release fishing during months when cold temperatures provide good trout survival, and keeping five trout daily when temperatures become too warm for good survival.
Many Maryland rivers and streams received needed rainfall, resulting in increased flows. Upper Potomac River levels at Paw Paw were measured at four feet last Thursday and are predicted to reach 17 feet on May 28. The North Branch, higher in the watershed, only experienced a three-foot gauge increase. River flows will decrease in coming weeks.
The fish hatchery program supplements upper Potomac smallmouth bass and walleye populations annually with fingerlings to boost recruitment of these valuable species. Walleye fingerlings are also stocked in selected rivers and reservoirs to increase angling opportunities.
Triadelphia Reservoir will receive walleye fingerlings measuring about one inch. Fisheries biologist Ross Williams noted this program dates back to 1992. In a 2024 gill net survey at Triadelphia Reservoir, biologists surveyed 11 walleye weighing between 3 pounds. Walleye fingerlings are also regularly stocked in the lower Susquehanna River, Rocky Gorge, Liberty and Savage reservoirs.
Largemouth bass anglers are enjoying excellent fishing opportunities this week. Bass are in post-spawn feeding patterns and feeding throughout the day due to cooler temperatures and overcast skies. Intermediate waters outside shallow grass areas are good targets for spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits and soft plastics. Shallower grass beds are good locations for topwater lures.
Chesapeake Channa, also known as snakeheads, can be found in grass bed areas in tidal waters, with many beginning to spawn. Noisy and disruptive topwater lures effectively attract attention from parent fish protecting eggs or fry balls.
Chain pickerel fishing always provides exciting entertainment and they can be found on grass bed outside edges. Crappie can be found near structure this month. Various sunfish species can be found roaming outside shallower waters.
Blue catfish and channel catfish offer active fishing in the bay’s tidal rivers while flathead catfish in the upper Potomac provide action. Blue and channel catfish are attracted to cut baits and scented baits. Flathead catfish prefer live bait.
Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays
Surf anglers are enjoying productive fishing off Ocean City and Assateague Island beaches. Anglers using large cut baits are catching large striped bass, red drum and bluefish. Most striped bass measure over the maximum slot size of 31 inches but provide exciting catch-and-release action, as do large red drum. Black drum are being caught on sand fleas and clams.
At the Ocean City Inlet and Route 50 Bridge area, anglers are catching striped bass by casting soft plastic jigs and paddletails. A fair number of striped bass being caught fall within the 28-31 inch slot. Anglers drifting cut baits in the inlet during evening hours are catching good numbers of striped bass. Flounder are moving through the inlet with catch and release tautog fishing available.
Back bay channels leading from the inlet are productive places to drift for flounder as they move through channels and spread throughout back bay waters. Striped bass are being caught near Route 90 and Verrazzano bridge piers by anglers casting soft plastic jigs and paddletails.
Offshore fishing at wrecks and reefs for black sea bass has been very productive with limit catches being common. Flounder and ling can be part of the mix for anglers. Farther offshore at the canyons, anglers are finding the first yellowfin tuna and dolphin with reports of bluefin tuna moving through canyon areas.
Maintaining steady climate conditions in museums throughout every season requires enormous amounts of power and comes with hefty costs. However, certain cultural institutions are discovering ways to address this challenge.
Museums must keep their internal environments at consistent temperature and humidity levels regardless of outside weather conditions, creating substantial energy demands that drive up operational expenses.
The winner of the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee is offering guidance to aspiring competitors looking ahead to next year’s competition.
The champion is revealing the strategies and preparation methods that led to victory, providing valuable insights for students who hope to compete successfully in the 2026 spelling competition.
The term “bird watching” doesn’t encompass the complete spectrum of individuals who enjoy seeking out wild birds in their natural habitats. Among these enthusiasts are numerous birders with visual impairments who rely on their sense of hearing to pursue their passion.
These dedicated nature lovers demonstrate that enjoying birds doesn’t require perfect vision, as they’ve developed skills to identify species through their calls, songs, and other auditory cues.
Conservation specialists are working to protect seeds from extremely rare plant species following a recent wildfire that swept through Santa Rosa Island off the California coastline.
Heather Schneider from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden discussed the facility’s conservation initiatives during a recent interview, highlighting their work to safeguard genetic material from uncommon plant varieties found on the island where the fire occurred.
The botanical garden has been actively collecting and preserving seeds from rare flora native to Santa Rosa Island as part of their broader conservation mission to protect endangered plant species from extinction.
What appeared to be a desperate move by the Vegas Golden Knights when they dismissed Bruce Cassidy and hired John Tortorella late in the season actually follows a pattern that has produced championship results before.
After Tortorella led the Golden Knights through a sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado team on Tuesday night, he now stands on the verge of becoming just the eighth coach in NHL history to capture the Stanley Cup following a mid-season hiring.
Since 2000, this feat has been accomplished five times, with Larry Robinson’s journey with the New Jersey Devils in that year bearing the strongest resemblance to Tortorella’s situation, as Robinson also assumed control with only eight games left in the 1999-00 campaign. The other successful mid-season coaches had significantly more time to implement their systems.
Vegas turned to Tortorella following a disastrous stretch in March when the team dropped six of seven contests. Under his leadership, the Golden Knights posted a 7-0-1 record to close the regular season and have dominated the Western Conference playoffs with a 12-4 mark.
The most recent championship team to achieve success after changing coaches mid-season was St. Louis in 2018-19, when Craig Berube replaced Mike Yeo early in the campaign. Kris Knoblauch nearly accomplished the same feat in 2023-24 with Edmonton, falling just one victory short after losing Game 7 of the Final to Florida.
Should Tortorella successfully guide the Golden Knights to their second championship, the six instances of mid-season coaching changes leading to titles in the NHL since 2000 would match the combined total from the NFL (0), NBA (4) and Major League Baseball (2) throughout their entire histories.
This accomplishment occurred only twice in the NHL during the 20th century, with Toronto’s Dick Irwin achieving it in 1932 and Montreal’s Al MacNeil doing so in 1971, before becoming more common in recent years.
The NBA coaches who have won championships after mid-season hirings include Jack McKinney with the Lakers in 1980, Pat Riley twice with Los Angeles in 1982 and Miami in 2006, and Tyronn Lue with Cleveland in 2016. In baseball, Jack McKeon led the Florida Marlins to a World Series title in 2003, while Bob Lemon accomplished the same with the Yankees in 1978.
A detailed examination of the five most recent NHL coaches who captured Stanley Cup championships after taking over during the season reveals:
After firing Yeo just 19 games into the 2018-19 campaign, St. Louis promoted Berube. The Blues plummeted to last place by early January before mounting a remarkable comeback.
St. Louis secured second place in the Central Division and overcame a 3-2 series deficit against Dallas in the second round, winning in double overtime in Game 7. They then erased a 2-1 series deficit in the conference final, defeating San Jose in six games to reach their first Stanley Cup Final since 1970.
Berube then guided St. Louis through a seven-game series victory over Boston, delivering the franchise’s first championship.
Pittsburgh was struggling in the early portion of the 2015-16 season and appeared ready to squander another prime year of Sidney Crosby’s career when they dismissed Mike Johnston and elevated Sullivan from the AHL.
Energized by crucial midseason acquisitions and exceptional performances from Crosby, Pittsburgh surged into playoff contention and maintained that momentum. The Penguins dropped only three games total in the opening two rounds before rallying from a 3-2 deficit in the conference final to eliminate Tampa Bay.
They dominated San Jose in a six-game series, claiming the Stanley Cup for Crosby’s second championship.
The Kings sat in 11th place in the Western Conference during December and were struggling offensively when they fired Terry Murray and eventually convinced Sutter to leave his Alberta farm for his first coaching position in over five years.
Sutter’s direct approach and focus on fundamentals proved exactly what the Kings required, helping them secure a playoff berth as the eighth seed. They stormed through the playoffs, stunning top-seeded Vancouver in five games during the first round and winning 15 of their initial 17 playoff games.
Los Angeles ultimately defeated New Jersey in six games for the franchise’s first championship, with their four losses tying for the second-fewest in a Cup-winning playoff run since the first round expanded to best-of-seven format in 1987.
Following their Final appearance in 2008, the Penguins were barely above .500 by February the following season, prompting GM Ray Shero to dismiss Michel Therrien and promote Bylsma from the AHL.
Pittsburgh compiled an 18-3-4 record down the stretch to claim the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins then navigated challenging series against Philadelphia and Washington before sweeping Carolina in the conference final.
This established a rematch opportunity against Detroit, and Pittsburgh prevailed this time, capturing Game 7 on the road for the franchise’s first title since 1992.
Despite holding first place in the East and owning the third-best record league-wide with eight games remaining in the regular season, GM Lou Lamoriello made the surprising choice to fire Robby Ftorek and elevate Robinson from his assistant coaching position.
New Jersey had managed just one playoff series victory over the previous four seasons and was faltering late in 2000 when Lamoriello determined a change was necessary.
His decision proved brilliant.
Robinson intensified practice schedules and emphasized defensive commitment, which proved crucial during a playoff run that included a comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the conference final against Philadelphia and a 2-1 double-overtime victory on the road in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against defending champion Dallas.
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s administration revealed Wednesday its commitment to spend $75 million on the BR-319 roadway that passes through Amazon rainforest territory, despite environmental advocates warning the project may speed up forest destruction and intensify climate issues.
The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva concurrently revealed environmental safeguarding measures designed to protect the forest from possible highway-related damage. The roadway links northern states Amazonas and Rondonia to Brazil’s remaining regions.
“From an environmental standpoint, it will be the most modern road in the world,” Lula stated at an Amazonas state ceremony, joined by Environment Minister João Paulo Capobianco.
“Any foreigner who comes here to weigh in on the climate issue, we will show what we’ve done here,” Lula stated.
The BR-319 roadway opened in 1976 yet stays mostly unpaved. It passes through Amazon rainforest territory and connects to Manaus, the Amazon’s biggest city with over 2 million people. The route follows the Madeira River — a major Amazon River tributary affected by droughts that interrupt freight transportation.
During Wednesday’s event in Iranduba, an Amazonas city located approximately 23 miles (37 kilometers) from Manaus, Brazilian officials also revealed regional investments featuring projects from government oil company Petrobras and subsidiary Transpetro in Amazonas. Lula appeared with regional politicians anticipated to back his reelection bid for a fourth non-consecutive term this October.
Authorities presented a video detailing environmental safeguarding strategies for the roadway, featuring environmental oversight of a 50-kilometer-wide (31-mile-wide) zone on both sides of the route throughout its length. They explained the roadway needs enhanced government presence since it travels through one of the rainforest’s most delicate regions.
Officials also promised to establish inspection stations, enforcement agency facilities and develop new conservation areas. They stated plans to contract a private company in 2028 for enforcement support.
Tuesday saw Lula touring a highway section, photographing with equipment and workers, and seemingly operating machinery while work progressed on the unpaved route.
Environmental organizations, including the Climate Observatory, have legally contested the project. In 2024, Climate Observatory initiated legal action to reverse the 2022 preliminary authorization for BR-319 highway paving, claiming officials disregarded technical advisories from Brazil’s environmental agency and neglected to mandate essential protections like Indigenous consultation and climate impact assessments.
Additional legal actions temporarily stopped a related bidding procedure in April, though a superior court quickly reversed the halt.
Minister George Santoro stated Wednesday that the complete highway will be contracted and under construction by June’s end.
The Amazon, Earth’s biggest rainforest, serves a vital function in controlling global climate patterns. The route passes through one of the ecosystem’s most preserved areas, containing numerous protected zones and Indigenous lands.
Scientific studies have demonstrated that constructing new rainforest roads increases deforestation by encouraging illegal side route development. A 2014 study in Biological Conservation journal revealed 95% of forest clearing happens within 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) of roads. Each 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) of official roadway generates roughly 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) of unofficial routes.
Marina Silva, a previous environment minister under Lula’s administration, stated during last year’s Senate hearing that BR-319 area deforestation increased immediately following roadwork announcements. She left office in April to pursue Congress candidacy.
Marcio Astrini, executive director of Climate Observatory, stated the government is circumventing proper procedures in implementing environmental protection measures. A deforestation prevention strategy for the highway, he argued, should have been discussed, authorized and executed before paving started — not simultaneously as currently occurring.
“Just the simple announcement under (former President Jair) Bolsonaro’s government that the road would be rebuilt nearly doubled land grabbing and deforestation in the area. Laying asphalt there creates another incentive,” Astrini stated. “If there are no protection measures in place, it just becomes yet another driver of deforestation.”
Two dramatically different approaches to spelling success are on display as 54 young competitors vie for spots in Thursday’s National Spelling Bee finals.
Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, exemplifies the intensive preparation method. After placing third in the 2024 competition but stumbling at his school bee last year, he’s gone all-in for his final eligible year. The teenager works with three different coaches, purchases specialized word lists and study materials, and dedicates himself to mastering Greek and Latin roots along with language patterns. He also participates year-round in online competitions against the nation’s elite spellers.
In stark contrast stands 12-year-old sixth-grader Sarv Dharavane from Dunwoody, Georgia, who also secured third place in 2025 despite being relatively unknown in spelling circles. His secret? Complete reliance on the Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged dictionary as his sole study companion.
“The book is my coach,” Sarv explained.
His methodology remained unchanged from his previous success. “I didn’t really change anything because my strategy got me far last year, but I did more of what I did before,” he noted. “I used to read the dictionary and set aside difficult words to study later. I did it a lot, so I got a lot of words and it was really easy just to go through them. I’ve always been able to remember pretty well, and I can read through long lists without getting tired, so this strategy works pretty well for me.”
These contrasting methods have reignited an ongoing discussion within spelling communities about whether language comprehension or memorization techniques prove more effective.
Sam Evans, who has coached the previous two champions, advocates for memorization’s importance. “At the end of finals, most of the words aren’t going to have a really clean-cut language pattern or rule that you can pull from. So I think memorization is really important,” he stated. “Sometimes it gets a bad reputation, but you have to do it.”
Reaching the finals typically requires understanding word components absorbed into English, including roots and origin languages. However, certain champions have distinguished themselves through exceptional memory capabilities – the capacity to immediately visualize encountered words or recite dictionary definitions word-for-word. This group includes Nihar Janga in 2016, Zaila Avant-garde in 2021, and Bruhat Soma in 2024.
Dev Shah, the 2023 winner, promotes what he calls an artistic spelling methodology, also supported by his coach Scott Remer. This approach emphasizes mastering roots and language patterns while learning to identify exceptions, enabling spellers to tackle unfamiliar words through deduction rather than recall.
Shah acknowledged the impossibility of memorizing the entire dictionary – “No one can,” he said – and believed unknown words could be solved through reasoning. “The skill of guessing is everything,” he wrote in a Washington Post opinion piece following his victory.
In a Wednesday interview, Shah recognized memorization’s value, particularly for unusual words with obscure backgrounds. He identified the top spellers, including Avant-garde, as those who balance memorization with mastery. Understanding conceptual spelling principles can also support performance under pressure when memory lapses occur, Shah noted, admitting he finds memorizing vast word volumes challenging.
Former champion Sohum Sukhatankar, who coaches Shrey, emphasizes loading competitors’ minds with the most valuable information. “When you’re at the highest level, you have to be prepared for hundreds of thousands of words,” he explained. “You want to do as little memorization as possible to avoid the chance that you just forget it, so it’s all about efficiency.”
While Shrey recognizes he may need to guess at the microphone, he aims to minimize uncertainties. This approach makes sense considering last year’s setback when he failed to become his school’s top speller.
“I had a fever at my school bee last year, and I just blanked on the word ‘calipers’ … and I missed it,” he recalled. “I was really devastated.”
Several months passed before Shrey felt motivated to resume studying. Upon restarting, he added Sukhatankar to his coaching roster. He’s developed techniques for slowing down at the microphone following a negative 2023 experience when rushing through a word led to unclear pronunciation and an incorrect ruling from judges.
Shrey also supports study guide usage. He credits an interactive, AI-powered platform called Onyma – offering personalized learning and inter-speller competition, launched this month by Sukhatankar and Evans – with improving his preparation. Additionally, he utilizes SpellPundit, an online resource developed by former spellers and their parents that gained prominence at the 2019 bee when most of that year’s eight co-champions used it. The company reports every subsequent champion as a client.
Despite winning the annual SpellPundit bee, the South Asian Spelling Bee, and several other online competitions, Shrey doesn’t view these victories as necessarily beneficial. “I feel like it (creates) more pressure to perform,” he said.
Evans believes spellers seeking victory should maximize study time efficiency, though no limits exist on learning every possible word. “There’s a common joke among spellers that says everything’s in the dictionary, so it’s all ‘on-list,’” he noted. “The dictionary is the most basic thing that spellers need to know.”
WASHINGTON — During what started as a routine Cabinet meeting, the president transformed into a construction foreman Wednesday, enthusiastically describing municipal improvement projects throughout the nation’s capital to his assembled officials and a national television audience.
The commander-in-chief spent considerable time detailing fountain repairs and pool cleaning operations, carefully explaining the differences between various blasting techniques and describing efforts to fix damaged walkways in a public park.
While the scene might have resembled a local municipal leader updating residents at a community meeting, this was the president drawing on his background in real estate development to showcase Washington renovation efforts.
“I love construction. It’s very exciting,” the president declared, asserting that the improvements he’s overseen mean “D.C. is looking beautiful.”
His construction commentary stretched for 10 minutes and provided more detail than discussions of other significant topics covered during the session, including military action in Iran. The meeting also touched briefly on rising fuel costs across the country and economic concerns that could impact his party’s efforts to maintain congressional control following November’s midterm elections.
The president revealed new aspects of his construction agenda, mentioning for the first time that improvements would reach the fountain at the World War II Memorial.
He reported that crews were enhancing 28 fountains under his supervision, then highlighted efforts to restore what he called the “reflecting lake” or “reflecting pond” — referring to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — which he said had undergone steam-cleaning, fumigation and coating with “American flag blue” paint.
“Over the years, I built hundreds of pools,” the president recalled, referencing his construction career in 1970s and 1980s New York. “I always like to build Olympic-sized swimming pools.”
The renovation work included removing “more than 10 dumpsters of garbage,” according to the president.
“Every corner had massive amounts,” he explained, adding, “I guess that’s the way the tide goes” — despite the fact that no tide reaches the pool.
The president indicated the goal was finishing the work by Independence Day and progress was largely on schedule, though recent rainfall in Washington had caused some setbacks.
The most extensive details emerged when discussion turned to power-washing procedures.
Crews “sandblasted it, and then we pebble-blasted,” the president explained, describing it as “a bigger version of sand.”
To prevent leaks, he said workers were applying “a very sophisticated form of rubber.”
The president also claimed credit for rebuilding the park situated across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House.
“I made a contribution to redoing Lafayette Park. That’s the entrance to the White House. And it was an embarrassment that floors were broken,” the president said, referring to the park’s brick walkways.
Throughout the presentation, most Cabinet officials listened attentively with minimal reaction, except Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick — already recognized for conspicuous laughter at such gatherings — who nodded frequently and enthusiastically. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also provided comments about some renovation projects when asked.
Before shifting to city improvements, the president began the meeting by announcing that only selected Cabinet members would be permitted to speak to expedite proceedings.
“Everybody around here has got a lot to say. But we did that once, and it lasted for like four or five hours. It was a little much,” the president said.
While that was an overstatement, previous Cabinet meetings have featured extended remarks — often highly complimentary of the president — from senior officials. One such gathering last summer extended the public portion beyond three hours.
Ultimately, the president’s construction briefing consumed roughly one-eighth of the 80-minute session. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attempted to redirect the discussion toward Iran. “I think, actually, your efforts on the reflecting pool are actually a great segue,” Hegseth suggested.
“If you look at Washington and Lincoln, these are two men that faced monumental tasks and stood up in historic fashion and delivered for the American people,” the defense secretary continued. “And, when you step back and look at 47 years of what Iran waged — war against us and our people — there’s only one man, over the course of both presidencies, who has stood up and said they will never get a nuclear weapon.”
NEWARK, N.J. — Several Democratic congressional representatives toured a federal immigration detention facility in New Jersey on Wednesday, amid ongoing protests and claims that detainees are refusing to eat in protest of facility conditions.
Following his tour of Delaney Hall in Newark, U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, a Manhattan Democrat, stated that detainees were declining meals due to what he characterized as “inhumane” conditions.
“We will shut this center down. We will shut it down,” Espaillat declared following the approximately one-hour inspection.
Manhattan Democrats U.S. Reps. Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman subsequently addressed protesters and relatives of detainees who were demonstrating beyond the facility’s security entrance.
“We want to make sure the conditions here are going to be dealt with,” Goldman stated just before both legislators entered the complex.
Over 50 demonstrators carried placards reading “Stop Family Separation” while chanting “Free Them All” along with other rallying cries.
Several protesters directed comments at the armed, helmet-clad Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers positioned outside, shouting “cowards” and “idiots.”
The demonstrations started Friday and have experienced periods of heightened tension.
On Monday, U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, reported being pepper-sprayed when he and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill attempted to lead a group of Democratic officials to visit detainees but were refused access.
“Instead of engaging with me and others about the poor conditions, ICE sent in an armored vehicle and a line of armed agents that only poured gasoline on the fire,” Kim wrote on social media following Monday’s confrontations. “Civilians were tackled and restrained, and agents fired pepper balls and spray into the crowd.”
Gabriela Soto stated Wednesday that her spouse was among those detainees who joined the food refusal before being moved to a different location.
“At first it was just 300. Then it became a little bit more. Now, every single detainee inside there is participating. Every single one,” she explained, dressed in a black shirt reading “Abolish ICE.”
Amol Sinha, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, indicated his group has received “horror stories” about detainees, including expectant mothers, not receiving adequate medical care for their health issues.
“Cruelty is the point,” he stated.
ICE officials have not replied to email requests for comment Wednesday, though the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which supervises the agency, has rejected claims of any hunger strike, mistreatment or substandard conditions within the center and characterized the complaints as political theater.
“The fact is, we’re giving them the calories they want,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Wednesday regarding detainees at Delaney Hall. “This isn’t Holiday Inn.”
President Donald Trump also supported the detention facility.
“We run the finest facilities anywhere in the world — of their type — but we have some horrible killers,” he said Wednesday.
Situated along an industrial section of Newark Bay and operated by a private prison company, Delaney Hall has repeatedly become a center of demonstrations and confrontations between immigrant advocacy groups and immigration enforcement personnel.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, a New Jersey Democrat, were among individuals detained during protests when the 1,000-bed complex opened last May.
The Atlanta Hawks announced Wednesday they have elevated general manager Onsi Saleh to president of basketball operations, rewarding him with a promotion after the team’s return to postseason play for the first time since 2023.
The 40-year-old executive, who initially came to Atlanta as assistant general manager in May 2024 before being elevated to GM in April 2025, has agreed to a long-term contract extension with the organization.
“I have such tremendous gratitude for the trust and partnership that the Resslers have shown me since my first day in Atlanta,” Saleh said of the team owners. “They have provided all the resources necessary for our front office to continue methodically building our program into one of the NBA’s elite. It’s an honor to lead this team, and I take seriously my responsibility to deliver for Hawks fans — I could not be more excited for what is ahead for our franchise.”
The promotion comes after Saleh finished as runner-up for NBA Basketball Executive of the Year recognition last month. Under his leadership, Atlanta compiled a 46-36 record, captured the Southeast Division championship, and secured the No. 6 playoff seed. However, their postseason run ended when the New York Knicks defeated them in six games during the first round.
“Onsi possesses a rare combination of valuable leadership qualities and a clear vision that will position our franchise to compete at a championship level. He is a gifted communicator and talent evaluator, widely respected by his peers within the NBA community,” Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler said.
Looking ahead to next month’s NBA draft, Atlanta holds valuable assets including two first-round selections at positions No. 8 and No. 23, plus the No. 57 pick.
The Hawks represent the only 2026 playoff qualifier possessing a top-10 draft selection this year, having obtained that pick through a 2025 draft-night transaction with the New Orleans Pelicans. Atlanta traded Derik Queen, who was selected 13th overall, to New Orleans in return for the better of two first-round picks controlled by the Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks. The Pelicans’ disappointing season resulted in the pick falling into lottery territory for Atlanta’s benefit.
A top Federal Reserve official warned Wednesday that interest rates could go up if inflation doesn’t start moving in the right direction.
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook told an economic policy conference at Stanford that while she currently supports maintaining steady interest rates, several factors are pushing prices higher and forcing the central bank to consider tougher action.
“I see elevated risks to both sides of our mandate, and from a risk-management perspective, I currently believe that the right course of action is to hold rates steady,” Cook stated during her prepared remarks at the AI policy forum at Stanford’s Institute for Economic Policy Research.
However, Cook expressed concern that inflation is “clearly moving in the wrong direction.” She pointed to several causes: tariffs implemented last year, oil price increases since the Iran war began on February 28, and rising demand for computer chips and software as companies invest heavily in artificial intelligence data centers.
The Fed official noted that while tariff effects should diminish soon, the combination of energy costs and AI-related investment is creating upward pressure on construction worker wages and overall prices.
Cook acknowledged that inflation has remained above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target for five consecutive years, raising concerns it could become embedded in how businesses set prices and wages.
“I want to be clear about my risk assessment: The risks remain tilted toward higher inflation,” she explained. “I am prepared to raise rates, if the expected disinflation does not appear in a timely manner.”
Cook, who faced an unsuccessful removal attempt by President Donald Trump last year in a case currently before the Supreme Court, joined the majority vote last month to maintain the policy rate between 3.50% and 3.75%.
Her stance on potential rate increases could create complications for new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, whom Trump appointed with expectations of lowering interest rates once the Iran war concludes and energy costs decrease. Several other Fed policymakers have similarly indicated they might support rate increases.
Regarding artificial intelligence’s economic impact, Cook expressed optimism about AI boosting growth and productivity through rapid business adoption. However, she cautioned that job losses might occur before employment gains materialize, creating risks for the currently stable job market.
Despite these concerns, Cook believes the labor market will maintain stability without requiring interest rate cuts, though she indicated readiness to reduce rates if employment conditions worsen. April’s unemployment rate stood at 4.3%.
PARIS – Top-ranked tennis players experienced mixed results during Wednesday’s action at the French Open, with some stars moving forward while others suffered unexpected defeats in challenging weather conditions.
Four-time champion Swiatek managed to advance to the third round despite struggling with 38 unforced errors during her match against Czech player Sara Bejlek, winning 6-2 6-3 in the intense heat.
“It was a tricky match in terms of the rhythm, because Sara plays differently than most of the players,” Swiatek explained. “I’m happy with the way I adjusted and how I was making decisions, because sometimes it wasn’t obvious when to attack and stay back. In the end I felt pretty good.”
Three-time champion Djokovic faced a challenging battle against French player Valentin Royer but ultimately prevailed 6-3 6-2 6-7(7) 6-3, keeping his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title alive at age 39.
“I think Valentin deserves a big round of applause for his performance today. I hope I won’t play any more French players for the rest of the tournament,” Djokovic commented after the match.
The Serbian star noted the difficult playing conditions, saying “The feelings on the court are different when you win. But it was a tough match in difficult conditions.”
However, second seed Rybakina suffered a stunning early elimination, falling to Yuliia Starodubtseva 3-6 6-1 7-6(10-4). The recent Australian Open champion struggled significantly, committing 71 unforced errors throughout the contest.
“I feel like if you’re trying to beat one of the best, you have to think that you can,” Starodubtseva said following her first victory over a top-five player. “I was trying to go into this match with this mindset, try not to give too much respect, even though she’s a great player and someone you can look up to.”
Ukrainian players continued their recent success, with Rome champion Elina Svitolina defeating Kaitlin Quevedo 6-0 6-4 on Court Philippe Chatrier. Fellow Ukrainian and Madrid winner Marta Kostyuk also advanced, beating Katie Volynets 6-7(4) 6-3 6-3.
Drama unfolded off the court when Spanish player Alejandro Davidovich Fokina discovered his coach had abandoned him mid-tournament. Mariano Puerta left the venue after sending a text message and flew to Miami without explanation.
“After the match against Damir Dzumhur, we had lunch and after that, I went to cool down. He said he was feeling bad, he was going to the hotel,” Davidovich Fokina revealed after his four-set victory over Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante. “In the afternoon … he texted me a message (saying) he’ll not continue … he didn’t say nothing to anybody, he just took the flight and flew to Miami.”
Additional tension arose during Tamara Korpatsch’s 6-2 2-6 6-3 victory over 32nd seed Wang Xinyu on Court Seven. The match concluded without a handshake after a disputed line call led to heated exchanges between the players.
The controversy began when Wang believed her shot had landed inside the baseline, but Korpatsch pointed to a ball mark outside the court. Wang crossed the net to examine the mark, earning a code violation from chair umpire Aurelie Tourte for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“I can’t say I’ll gift her the point,” Korpatsch explained. “I’m a bit surprised, because we have a good relationship, we’re not enemies. I didn’t offer her my hand because that’s not fair for me. She was unfair to come on my side, and I’m not an unfair player.”
Other notable results included Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Belinda Bencic’s commanding 6-4 6-0 victory over American Caty McNally. German player Alexander Zverev was scheduled to face Czech Tomas Machac in the evening session as he continues his quest for a first Grand Slam title.
Moscow has issued a stark ultimatum to Armenia, threatening to cut off discounted energy supplies if the South Caucasus nation continues its pursuit of European Union membership.
The warning comes as Armenia prepares for parliamentary elections on June 7, with polls showing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party maintaining a strong advantage over candidates favoring closer Russian ties. Pashinyan has cultivated stronger relationships with Western nations, drawing Moscow’s displeasure.
Maria Zakharova, who speaks for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed the formal notification to the RIA news agency. “The Russian Embassy has officially forwarded a letter…stating that if the process of accession to the EU continues, the Russian side will suspend or unilaterally terminate the Agreement on Cooperation in the Supply of Natural Gas, Petroleum Products and Rough Diamonds,” she stated.
The landlocked country of approximately 3 million people has historically maintained strong connections with Russia and belongs to the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union. Armenia houses Russian military installations and relies heavily on Moscow for energy needs, with 82% of its gas originating from Russia last year, the Interfax news agency reported.
During a campaign event, Pashinyan indicated Armenia had no plans to exit the Eurasian Union, arguing that membership in both organizations could coexist. “For now, Armenia can be a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and proceed with reforms to achieve European standards. We are on this path,” Russian news outlets reported him saying.
“When the time comes to make a choice, we will make a choice. We must have an alternative so that no one can say of Armenia — who needs it, where is it heading?” he added.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated significantly following Azerbaijan’s recapture of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in September 2023, which led to a massive departure of ethnic Armenians despite Russian peacekeeping forces being stationed there.
Pashinyan blamed Russia for failing to safeguard his nation during that crisis and has subsequently worked to strengthen connections with Brussels and Washington. Armenia has also halted its involvement in a Moscow-led regional defense alliance.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the Armenian capital on Tuesday, where he finalized a strategic partnership agreement demonstrating improved bilateral relations. Armenia also passed legislation last year beginning its EU membership application process.
Moscow contends that EU membership would conflict with Armenia’s participation in the Eurasian Economic Union. This month, Russian officials criticized Armenia for being pulled into what they termed the EU’s “anti-Russian orbit” and for giving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy “a platform for anti-Russian remarks.”
The cooperation deal that Russia threatens to cancel enables Armenia to purchase oil, gas and rough diamonds without export taxes and at significantly reduced prices.
Moscow confirmed that Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev sent the warning letter to Armenia’s Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Ministry.
According to the letter’s text published by Russia’s Kommersant newspaper, Tsivilev described Armenia’s EU orientation as “inconsistent with the nature of the partnership between the governments and economic entities of our countries.”
Armenian ministry officials told state media on Wednesday they had not received any correspondence from Tsivilev.
Private equity giant Carlyle believes defense sector investments offer boundless opportunities as nations worldwide boost their military budgets, according to Chief Executive Harvey Schwartz.
Speaking at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference in New York on Wednesday, Schwartz described the potential market for the company’s newly established defense-focused division as having no limits.
“The total addressable market for a new dedicated unit that the firm set up to invest in that sector is unlimited, because everywhere you go everybody’s increasing their defense budgets by 1%, 2%, 5%,” Schwartz explained.
He characterized the trend as a worldwide occurrence during his remarks at the conference.
According to a company statement, the specialized unit will focus on investments across aerospace, defense, and industrial companies.
Schwartz has emphasized Carlyle’s Washington, D.C. origins as a competitive edge over rival private capital firms based in New York while working to navigate the company through internal challenges and broader industry difficulties.
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows worldwide military spending hit $2.89 trillion in 2025, pushing defense expenditures as a percentage of global economic output to levels not seen since 2009.
The abundance of potential investment opportunities in the sector means “we’re saying ‘no’ to a lot of transactions of the smaller ticket size,” according to Schwartz.
He noted that the new specialized unit could enable the firm to pursue transactions valued at $200 million to $300 million.
A New Jersey-based frozen treat manufacturer has issued a voluntary product recall due to potential allergen contamination. DE DIOS’S ICE POPS II LLC, located in Paterson, New Jersey, is pulling 3.7-ounce packages of popsicles from shelves because the products may contain undisclosed ingredients including milk, pecans, pistachios, and food dyes Yellow #5 and Red #40.
The recall poses particular concern for individuals with allergies to these specific ingredients, as the substances were not properly declared on product packaging. Consumers who have purchased these frozen treats and have known sensitivities to any of the listed allergens are advised to avoid consumption.
Six individuals have been chosen to participate in the 2026 Maryland Horse Career Program, which will take place from June 1 through June 5, according to an announcement from the Maryland Horse Foundation.
The program represents a collaborative effort between the Maryland Horse Foundation, the Maryland Horse Industry Board, and University of Maryland Equine Studies. Its mission focuses on linking up-and-coming professionals with established figures in the equine industry.
Originally established in 2017 under the name Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program, the initiative has evolved to encompass broader aspects of the horse industry beyond thoroughbred racing.
Authorities have issued a warning about fraudulent activity targeting people and businesses in connection with the Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Festival.
Reports indicate that scammers are sending deceptive emails that falsely claim to offer vendor opportunities for the festival. These fraudulent messages are demanding complete payment upfront from potential participants.
Officials want to make it clear that these email solicitations are not legitimate and represent a scam operation targeting unsuspecting victims.
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) revealed Wednesday the Most Outstanding Performers from the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships held in New Orleans.
Kai Smith received recognition as one of the championship’s Most Outstanding Performers following the competition. The USTFCCCA made the announcement after concluding the Division III outdoor track and field national championships.
Israeli military forces announced Wednesday they have expanded their designated combat zone in southern Lebanon and are directing civilians in the region to relocate northward, threatening to use “great force” against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah within the area.
The military’s announcement on X appears to indicate an intensification of conflict following more than 120 strikes that targeted Lebanon’s southern and eastern regions on Tuesday, occurring despite a ceasefire that was announced on April 16.
“We advise residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate to the north of the Zahrani River, as all areas south of the river are considered a combat zone,” an Israeli military spokesperson posted on X.
The Zahrani River flows from east to west approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Israel’s border with Lebanon, with the Lebanese territory located south of the waterway encompassing roughly 2,000 square kilometres.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that Israel required additional action in Lebanon to safeguard communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah threats.
Previously, the Israeli military had directed people living below the Litani River further south to depart. The forces had already issued specific evacuation orders and conducted strikes in several dozen towns situated between the Litani and Zahrani rivers.
Wednesday’s directive marked the first instance that residents were commanded to evacuate the complete zone south of the Zahrani.
The Israeli military encouraged civilians to maintain distance from Hezbollah operatives, facilities and weapons locations.
Lebanese security sources informed Reuters that people were moving north toward the port city of Sidon, which is already sheltering thousands of displaced individuals from other areas of southern Lebanon. The latest announcement occurred as Muslims throughout Lebanon were observing Eid al-Adha celebrations.
Over 1.2 million Lebanese citizens have been displaced due to Israeli strikes and evacuation directives since March 2, when Hezbollah launched attacks at Israel in solidarity with its ally Iran.
Following that date, Israeli strikes have battered Lebanon’s southern and eastern regions as well as its capital Beirut, resulting in more than 3,200 deaths, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Combat has persisted in southern Lebanon despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced on April 16. The World Health Organization has reported that at least 608 people in Lebanon have died in Israeli attacks since the truce began.
The Israeli military reported that 10 of its soldiers had died since the April 16 ceasefire, with six killed by Hezbollah’s explosive drones.
The Israeli military has extended its ground operations in southern Lebanon beyond a security zone occupied by its troops, though it provided no specifics regarding the scope of advancement past the so-called Yellow Line.
The Lebanese capital Beirut has avoided new strikes, though Israeli surveillance drones can be heard flying overhead daily and a warplane was audible flying low on Wednesday, according to Reuters reporters in the city.
Three senior Israeli officials indicated Israel believes it has operational freedom in southern Lebanon but faces more constraints in Beirut.
The officials informed Reuters that Israel seeks to avoid appearing to undermine U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential agreement with Iran by destroying buildings in the Lebanese capital.
Municipal workers from Salisbury, MD joined forces with Hope and Life Outreach (HALO) on May 27, 2026, to provide hot meals at HALO’s Café. The café operates as a vital resource for people facing hunger and homelessness throughout the area.
The volunteer initiative allowed municipal employees to work directly alongside HALO staff members and other volunteers, providing meals to those experiencing homelessness and other difficulties while creating a compassionate and inviting atmosphere.
This volunteer effort demonstrates the municipality’s ongoing dedication to civic involvement and backing organizations that create meaningful change in Salisbury.
“Opportunities like this remind us of the importance of coming together as a community,” said Mayor Randy Taylor. “We’re grateful for organizations like HALO that work every day to support individuals and families facing difficult circumstances, and we were honored to spend time serving alongside their team.”
HALO remains essential in delivering shelter, food services, resources and assistance programs for people experiencing homelessness and hardship throughout the Salisbury region.
Additional photos are available on the organization’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
About HALO Ministry
HALO Ministry operates as a nonprofit organization assisting people experiencing homelessness and hardship in the Salisbury region. The organization provides shelter services, food programs, outreach initiatives and community collaborations to deliver hope, stability and assistance for those in need while supporting individuals in achieving long-term independence.
About the City of Salisbury
Situated on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the City of Salisbury stands as the largest municipality on the Delmarva Peninsula and functions as the economic, cultural and educational center of the area. Dedicated to innovation, sustainability and civic participation, Salisbury continues developing as a dynamic municipality where both residents and visitors can live, work and flourish.
A Brooklyn federal judge dismissed criminal charges Wednesday against a former Fox television executive following a prosecutor’s statement that the soccer corruption case no longer aligns with current administration enforcement priorities.
Judge Pamela K. Chen granted the government’s request to drop the indictment against Hernan Lopez after U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. explained the administration’s shift in focus away from international soccer corruption cases.
Lopez, who previously served as CEO of Fox International Channels, smiled as he departed the federal courthouse and expressed relief to reporters, saying “a case that never should have started is finally over.”
During the hearing, Nocella informed Chen that the current administration prioritizes cases involving domestic and international terrorist groups, national security matters, drug trafficking, human trafficking and violent criminal organizations.
The judge determined that Nocella’s explanation, combined with written documentation filed with the court, offered adequate grounds to approve the dismissal request.
In 2023, Lopez and Full Play Group SA, a South American sports media corporation, faced conviction for distributing tens of millions in bribe payments to secure broadcasting rights for World Cup matches and other premier soccer competitions. Chen later overturned those convictions with an acquittal ruling.
An appellate court reversed the acquittals in July, restoring the original convictions, though subsequent appeals left the prosecution’s future unclear.
Chen clarified during Wednesday’s proceedings that her decision to dismiss the charges was not influenced by her earlier acquittal ruling.
Government attorneys informed the Supreme Court in December that officials had concluded dismissing the criminal case serves justice, without providing additional reasoning.
Before issuing her ruling, Chen questioned all parties about how dismissing this indictment might impact the broader decade-long corruption investigation into television rights for international soccer tournaments, which has produced multiple convictions.
FIFA, the international soccer governing organization, stated in court documents filed two weeks prior that it supported the U.S. government’s position that dropping charges against Lopez and Full Play would not directly impact other defendants’ convictions.
FIFA noted its collaboration with the Department of Justice to eliminate corruption from soccer and described implementing disciplinary measures, including permanent bans, to address misconduct uncovered by U.S. authorities.
Justice Department officials wrote to the judge on March 12 explaining that each prosecution within the broader case involves distinct facts and circumstances.
In its filing, FIFA reported that the U.S. government had already transferred $201 million to FIFA and other organizations for distribution to soccer-related community impact projects globally.
FIFA highlighted various funded initiatives, including after-school soccer programs in disadvantaged Miami neighborhoods, renovated community soccer facilities in Ohio, Tennessee and Washington, D.C., teacher and coach training programs throughout the Caribbean, and youth soccer tournaments across South America.
DURHAM, N.C. — Researchers at Duke University have created a revolutionary robot that’s preparing to take on real-world challenges from every possible angle.
Rather than mimicking symmetrical forms found in nature by designing robots that resemble humans, canines, or bugs, engineering professor Boyuan Chen and his research team concentrated on consistency of movement, which he refers to as “dynamic symmetry.”
This approach led to the creation of Argus. The spherical robot takes its name from a legendary multi-eyed creature and features depth-sensing cameras mounted on 20 extending legs that project outward from a center hub. Without designated front, rear, top, or bottom surfaces, the machine can observe and travel in all directions without delay.
“Instead of measuring how your legs are arranged around a different part of your body, we’re measuring how fast you can move in any direction,” Chen said. “Who said, you know, if you have a robot to help us in a most effective way, it has to look like us?”
During testing phases, Argus has successfully traversed sandy shorelines and dense forest floor vegetation, rolling across barriers and regaining balance after being knocked off course. The robot can scale between parallel brick surfaces by alternating between bracing and pushing movements with its appendages. Even when one or multiple motors fail or a leg becomes damaged, operation continues.
“Watching Argus move is unlike watching any other robot we’ve worked with,” said Jiaxun Liu, a graduate student and co-author of a study about Argus published online Wednesday in the journal Science Robotics. “The first time we saw it navigate among trees and rough terrain, even under heavy collisions, we knew this was something different.”
During their research, the team established a new design concept called dynamic isotropy that evaluates robots on a measurement from 0 to 1 according to how evenly they can accelerate in all directions. Most currently operating robots, including humanoid models and drones, achieve scores under 0.6. Argus reaches 0.91.
“When a robot can accelerate equally well in every direction, it stops needing to face the world in any particular way,” said Chen, who hopes the same principle could guide the development of search and rescue robots, underwater or aerial vehicles or robots with the ability to grip objects.
“Instead of building a robot hand that looks like a human hand … one idea is to think about having Argus be the hand itself, and it can manipulate objects in any direction,” he said. “The knowledge we can transfer to the rest of the world is much more deeper than building an existing robot or copying an existing species.”
INTERLOCHEN, Mich. — A prestigious Michigan arts academy and summer program where Jeffrey Epstein allegedly encountered at least two victims plans to demolish a building that previously carried the convicted sex offender’s name.
Officials at the Interlochen Center for the Arts announced this week that trustees have given the green light to destroy the Green Lake Lodge, formerly called the Jeffrey E. Epstein Scholarship Lodge before administrators severed connections and removed all references to the deceased millionaire sex criminal following his initial conviction in 2008.
The disgraced financier was a camper at Interlochen Arts Camp in 1967 during his teenage years and contributed over $400,000 to the institution from 1990 through 2003, with $200,000 specifically funding the lodge’s construction.
“The lodge has, over time, come to carry associations that are not reflective of who we are as an institution or the values we strive to uphold,” Interlochen said in a statement. “After careful consideration, the Board determined that removing this structure in a safe and timely manner is the right step for Interlochen at this time.”
The internationally recognized institution for aspiring artists, performers and musicians has produced notable graduates including Grammy winners Chappell Roan and Norah Jones, plus Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
Two women who accused Epstein have stated they encountered him at Interlochen during the 1990s.
School officials acknowledged awareness of media coverage regarding these women’s allegations and extended invitations for them to meet with an independent investigator conducting an external probe into reports of past misconduct at Interlochen.
Two internal examinations, including one conducted after Epstein’s sex trafficking arrest in 2019, discovered no documentation of improper behavior involving Epstein in school files, according to administrators.
Epstein made regular visits to Interlochen, frequently accompanied by his associate and former romantic partner Ghislaine Maxwell, and used the lodge scheduled for demolition as his accommodation.
Justice Department documents recently made public reveal that Epstein arranged for student tuition payments from his donations and once transported violinist Itzhak Perlman to the campus using his private aircraft.
Epstein took his own life in a federal Manhattan detention facility in August 2019, one month following his indictment on federal sex trafficking charges. He previously served jail time in Florida in 2008 and 2009 after entering a guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Maxwell received a sex trafficking conviction in 2021 for her role in recruiting Epstein’s underage victims and is currently serving a 20-year prison term.
Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. continues his rehabilitation from a torn ACL and has not received medical approval for full-contact team practice sessions, according to new Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski’s Wednesday announcement.
The 26-year-old quarterback is making excellent progress in his recovery and will take part in position-specific training and smaller 7-on-7 practice sessions during organized team activities while he awaits complete medical approval for his left knee, Stefanski explained.
“He’s not 100 percent, but he’s exactly where he needs to be,” Stefanski said.
When Penix receives full clearance, the quarterback selected eighth overall in the 2024 first-round draft is anticipated to battle with newly acquired quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the starting position.
Penix suffered the campaign-ending knee injury during Week 11 of 2025, which marked his first year beginning the season as Atlanta’s primary quarterback. He took over the starting role from Kirk Cousins partway through his 2024 debut season.
Throughout 14 professional games with 12 starts, Penix has achieved a 59.6% completion rate, throwing for 2,757 yards with 12 touchdown passes and six interceptions.
Tagovailoa, age 28, posted a 44-32 win-loss record during his time with the Miami Dolphins, completing 68.0% of his attempts for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions across six seasons.
Both signal-callers are adapting to a fresh offensive system under Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Atlanta’s quarterback room also includes Trevor Siemian and undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs walked free from police custody Wednesday after being detained on multiple domestic violence allegations.
Prosecutors have not filed formal charges against the 28-year-old player. The Brown County District Attorney’s Office in Wisconsin explained there’s a difference between what’s needed for an arrest versus filing charges. While “probable cause” justifies an arrest, proving guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” is required for criminal charges.
“After reviewing the available evidence in this case, the Brown County District Attorney’s Office is not yet prepared to make a formal charging decision,” District Attorney David L. Lasee said in a statement. “Our office has requested additional investigation, as there is reason to believe that additional evidence may exist that would impact whether criminal charges are appropriate.”
The Hobart-Lawrence Police Department in Wisconsin took Jacobs into custody Tuesday on allegations including battery (domestic abuse, criminal damage to property), domestic abuse, disorderly conduct (domestic abuse, strangulation and suffocation) and intimidation of a victim.
According to Brown County jail records, the strangulation and suffocation allegation carries felony status, while the remaining charges are classified as misdemeanors.
Jacobs’ legal team issued a statement Wednesday defending their client.
“We are extremely pleased that Josh has been released from custody and that no criminal charges have been filed against him,” a statement from David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld and Clarence Duchac read. “As we previously stated, we encourage everyone to keep an open mind while the matter is fully reviewed. We remain confident that, once all of the evidence is gathered and evaluated, it will confirm that no charges should be brought against Josh in the future.”
When reporters asked Packers head coach Matt LaFleur about Jacobs during Wednesday’s organized team activities, he declined to elaborate.
“I’m going to stick with the statement we put out as an organization and just let the process play out,” he said.
Currently in his third year with Green Bay after inking a four-year, $48 million contract in 2024, Jacobs has earned Pro Bowl honors three times (2020, 2022, 2024) and first-team All Pro recognition in 2022, when he topped the NFL in rushing yards while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Throughout his seven-year NFL career, Jacobs has accumulated 7,803 rushing yards on 1,840 carries with 74 touchdowns.
CBS News has decided against renewing the contract of correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi from “60 Minutes” following her disagreement with Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss regarding a December story about a Salvadoran prison, the New York Times reported Wednesday.
The network withdrew the story — which focused on a large prison facility where the United States has placed hundreds of primarily Venezuelan migrants without trials — just hours before its scheduled broadcast, leading to claims from “60 Minutes” staff and members of Congress that CBS was practicing self-censorship due to political influence.
Speaking to the New York Times Wednesday, Alfonsi confirmed she remains a CBS employee but lacks a contract and doesn’t anticipate returning to the renowned news program.
The network’s refusal to extend her contract “sends a chilling message to the entire newsroom,” Alfonsi stated to the Times. “I think it was a deliberate choice to penalize a journalist for refusing to sanitize accurate reporting.”
CBS falls under Paramount Skydance ownership. A network representative did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Attempts to contact Alfonsi directly were unsuccessful.
The prison story circulated online in December before eventually broadcasting on CBS one month afterward.
At the time, Alfonsi condemned the network’s choice, stating in a message to her colleagues that CBS withdrew the story for “political” motivations. Weiss defended the delay in a December staff email, explaining that regaining Americans’ confidence “sometimes means holding a piece about an important subject to make sure it is comprehensive and fair.”
Skydance Media, led by David Ellison — son of President Donald Trump supporter Larry Ellison — purchased Paramount in August and appointed Weiss as editor-in-chief in October. David Ellison helped obtain regulatory clearance for the transaction that formed Paramount Skydance, promising the CBS network would represent the “varied ideological perspectives” of American audiences.
Trump has consistently urged the Federal Communications Commission to remove broadcasting licenses from major networks NBC and ABC while demanding payment for their use of public airwaves, criticizing their news coverage.
Before the acquisition, Paramount settled a 2024 Trump lawsuit for $16 million concerning a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, which he claimed presented a misleading portrayal of his presidential opponent.
The FCC stated the settlement and regulatory approval process were separate matters.
Conference USA has finalized the television broadcast schedule and game timing for University of Delaware football, the conference revealed Wednesday through coordination with its media partners.
The Fightin’ Blue Hens are slated to appear on national television programming no fewer than seven occasions throughout the 2026 season, according to the announcement made from Dallas.
The United States poultry industry is showing signs of growth according to new data tracking broiler production activities.
Statistics reveal that broiler-type eggs set nationwide increased by 1 percent compared to previous periods. The data also shows that broiler-type chicks placed throughout the country experienced a larger jump of 3 percent.
These figures indicate positive momentum in the commercial poultry sector, which supplies much of the nation’s chicken meat production.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Star running back Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers has been freed from a Wisconsin detention facility as officials continue examining domestic violence accusations against the NFL player.
The 28-year-old athlete was taken into custody Tuesday in Brown County facing allegations of strangulation and suffocation stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred over the weekend. Legal representatives for Jacobs stated their client maintains his innocence.
District Attorney David Lasee indicated it remains premature to determine formal charges.
“Our office has requested additional investigation, as there is reason to believe that additional evidence may exist that would impact whether criminal charges are appropriate, and what charges would be issued. … The investigation remains open and is ongoing,” Lasee said.
The legal team representing Jacobs — David Chesnoff, Richard Schonfeld and Clarence Duchac — expressed satisfaction with his release from custody.
“We encourage everyone to keep an open mind while the matter is fully reviewed. We remain confident that, once all of the evidence is gathered and evaluated, it will confirm that no charges should be brought against Josh in the future,” they said.
According to Hobart/Lawrence Police Chief Michael Renkas, officers responded to a report involving Jacobs at approximately 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
The football player serves as Green Bay’s leading returning ground-game performer following a season where he accumulated 929 rushing yards and scored 13 touchdowns in 2025. This came after his 2024 campaign in which he gained 1,329 yards on the ground with 15 touchdowns while receiving his third Pro Bowl recognition.
Green Bay commenced organized team activities Tuesday. Team officials have refused to provide comment regarding the arrest.
“I know there’s going to be a lot of questions about Josh,” coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday. “I’m going to stick with the statement that we put out as an organization and just let the process play out.”
Jacobs represents Green Bay’s most talented player at a position where the team has limited backup options. Emanuel Wilson, who finished as their second-leading rusher last season, has since joined the Seattle Seahawks. The organization did not select any running backs in this year’s draft.
The veteran spent his initial five NFL seasons with the Raiders. He received All-Pro recognition and led the league with 1,653 rushing yards while playing for Las Vegas in 2022.
Throughout his seven-year professional career, he has accumulated 7,803 rushing yards and 74 touchdowns. Among current NFL players, only Baltimore’s Derrick Henry (122) and Buffalo’s Josh Allen (79) have scored more career rushing touchdowns.
Weather conversations are commonplace, particularly across Britain.
Yet it’s difficult to envision a gentle discussion about meteorological conditions serving as an emotionally powerful moment in a motion picture. This becomes even more surprising when the movie centers on World War II, among the most dramatically compelling topics in cinema history.
However, this changes once you experience Andrew Scott’s performance, an actor capable of making even mundane material sound captivating — or at minimum, touching and complex.
Individuals frequently discuss precipitation, his character, Capt. James Stagg, contends during “Pressure,” which chronicles how weather science influenced the success of D-Day. Yet do they contemplate the reasons behind rainfall? Or what creates wind patterns? How, he wonders, could such phenomena be considered dull?
At moments, “Pressure,” helmed and co-authored by Anthony Maras, resembles a sequence of similarly refined monologues. This approach makes sense given its theatrical origins — the 2014 stage production by David Haig. Chronicling the lesser-known account of how weather experts determined the optimal timing for the Normandy beach assault, the movie creates tension between two figures: Scott’s contemplative, obstinate, even bitter weather scientist, and the legendary Dwight D. Eisenhower, distinguished military leader and eventual president, portrayed by Brendan Fraser.
Fraser’s interpretation of Eisenhower appears physically commanding — significantly more so than the historical figure — and equally headstrong, though more vocally so. However, he proves less compelling than Scott’s complex Stagg, a role and portrayal that transforms an otherwise competent, well-crafted military film into something more captivating.
The movie opens with fallen soldiers scattered across a shoreline beside bloodied waters — evoking the disastrous D-Day preparation known as Exercise Tiger, which claimed hundreds of American military lives. This serves as Maras’s method of emphasizing both the human cost and the potential for additional tragedy.
Several months afterward, in June, Stagg arrives for assignment at Allied command. The Scottish weather expert, reluctant to leave his expectant wife behind, has been recruited to assist with Eisenhower’s planned assault, which depends on surprising the enemy. Additionally, and critically, on meteorological conditions.
Stagg receives orders to meet Eisenhower, through his reliable assistant Kay Summersby (an outstanding Kerry Condon, injecting energy into a part that avoids further speculation about her connection with the general). Eisenhower explains that the entire war’s outcome depends on this mission. “We invade France Monday,” he declares.
However, the commander requires an accurate weather prediction. The mission demands a full moon and cloudless skies for aerial support, plus tranquil seas. Eisenhower seeks approval — which his own reliable forecaster, Irving P. Krick (Chris Messina), readily provides. Using historical data, Krick maintains that June 5, 1944, will bring peaceful and bright conditions.
Krick represents everything Stagg isn’t — sociable, bold, self-assured. He even performs songs and dances. Stagg, however, disagrees with the American’s evaluation. “Get me the data,” he demands. Historical trends hold no value in this volatile area, he maintains.
Requesting information from every weather monitoring post or balloon within 2,000 miles of Normandy, Stagg contends two storm systems approach. A June 5 launch will result in massive casualties, he warns. Actually, suitable weather might not appear until June 18. This message finds no welcome audience — not from Eisenhower, not from Krick and certainly not from Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (Damian Lewis, embracing the theatrical nature). “My men are ready and primed,” Montgomery declares. “Get them onto the beaches, and leave the rest to me.”
As historical records confirm, D-Day did not occur on June 5. Eisenhower eventually decides to delay based on Stagg’s prediction, proven correct when Sunday’s clear weather suddenly becomes stormy during morning worship. Yet just as the chance seems lost, Stagg identifies a temporary weather improvement. He suggests — spoiler alert — that the invasion move forward one day later, on June 6.
For beach combat sequences, Maras utilized archival material — he has stated inspiration from Peter Jackson’s remarkable World War I documentary “They Shall Not Grow Old” — adding color and combining it with his own footage of frightened soldiers. Somehow, genuine tension emerges when Eisenhower and others assemble in the operations room.
Close by, silently, Stagg remains. Like his role, Scott accomplishes more with minimal resources. While the performer may be recognized for praised performances in “Fleabag,” “Ripley” and “Sherlock,” he’s also an accomplished theater artist, and his contribution here echoes the nuanced work he delivered in “Vanya,” the Chekhov adaptation where he portrayed all eight characters. Among Scott’s most powerful moments: when he receives heartbreaking news via telephone during a crucial war planning period. His suffering is evident, yet somehow he shows minimal external reaction.
“The weather feeds us,” Stagg states earlier, making his argument that weather is far from tedious. Indeed, meteorology itself becomes the central character in “Pressure.” The movie relates a story in which John F. Kennedy, traveling to his inauguration, questioned his predecessor about what advantage the Allies possessed.
“We had better meteorologists than the Germans,” Eisenhower responded.
“Pressure,” a Focus Features release arriving in theaters Friday, has received a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association for “war violence, bloody images, some strong language, and smoking.” Runtime: 100 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.
A former political leader in Northern Ireland is facing serious criminal charges after prosecutors allege he sexually abused two young girls over more than two decades.
Jeffrey Donaldson, age 63, who previously headed the Democratic Unionist Party, entered not guilty pleas to 18 charges on Wednesday. The criminal counts include rape, gross indecency, and indecent assault allegations involving two complainants from 1985 through 2008.
During opening arguments at Newry Crown Court, prosecutor Rosemary Walsh informed the jury that both alleged victims contacted authorities over two years ago to report what they described as “difficult and traumatic incidents they say happened when they were children.”
Donaldson stepped down from his leadership position with the DUP and left his seat in the U.K. Parliament following his arrest in March 2024.
His departure sent shockwaves through the DUP, coming just after the party had rejoined Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government following a boycott. This return to cooperation occurred after Donaldson secured favorable changes to post-Brexit trade policies with the European Union.
During his tenure as DUP leader from 2021 to 2023, Donaldson held significant influence within Northern Ireland’s unionist community, which advocates for preserving the region’s connections to the United Kingdom.
According to Walsh’s statements to jurors, both complainants reported that Donaldson inappropriately touched them during their elementary school years. The prosecutor indicated that one victim, identified in court documents as Complainant B, alleged the abuse persisted for multiple years.
Complainant B also testified that years after the alleged incidents, a church-organized meeting took place where Donaldson expressed regret “for what had happened in the past.”
During police questioning, Donaldson characterized the sexual abuse allegations as “unbelievable.”
Eleanor Donaldson, the defendant’s spouse, faces separate charges for allegedly assisting in her husband’s crimes, though Judge Paul Ramsey determined she is mentally unfit for trial proceedings.
While jurors will review evidence related to Eleanor Donaldson’s case, she cannot face conviction or sentencing. Court officials anticipate the trial will continue for approximately one month.
LA PAZ, Bolivia — Just half a year after taking office, Bolivia’s centrist President Rodrigo Paz finds his administration under siege from violent demonstrations that have brought the nation to a standstill.
When Paz was sworn in, many Bolivians felt hopeful after enduring their country’s most severe economic downturn in decades and growing tired of nearly 20 years of mostly socialist rule. His pro-business approach quickly eliminated lengthy queues at fuel stations by securing imported gasoline. The nation’s struggling currency gained strength in unofficial markets as investors responded positively to his deficit-reduction strategy. International relationships improved dramatically, with numerous foreign delegations attending his inauguration ceremony.
However, that initial hope has turned to fear as explosive protests threaten the administration that has aligned itself with the Trump government. Protesters armed with dynamite have surrounded major urban areas, creating critical shortages of food, gasoline, and medical equipment. Rural and Indigenous communities who originally supported Paz’s promises to transform the system while maintaining social programs are now demanding he resign.
The demonstrations have exposed deep divisions within Paz’s coalition. Many former backers from Bolivia’s historically powerful Movement Toward Socialism party, known as MAS, who helped him defeat more conservative opponents, now feel abandoned by his administration.
After taking power, Paz formed partnerships with more conservative congressional factions while sidelining his populist running mate who many credited with his election victory. His cabinet appointments excluded members of Bolivia’s Indigenous majority population. He endorsed agricultural reform legislation that Indigenous farmers feared would lead to their displacement. When he eliminated fuel subsidies, prices jumped nearly 90%, and drivers complained the imported gasoline damaged their vehicles.
Paz attempted to ease the economic burden by providing direct payments to struggling families and raising minimum wages by 20%. He also reversed the contentious land legislation. However, his refusal to grant additional wage increases angered the country’s main labor organization.
The geographic layout of Bolivia makes La Paz particularly vulnerable to siege tactics. Blockades positioned on the mountainous routes into the capital can completely cut off more than 1.6 million people living in the metropolitan area, representing over 13% of Bolivia’s total population.
This blockade strategy has historical roots in Indigenous resistance movements, dating back to an 18th-century uprising against Spanish colonial rule. Similar tactics in 2003 and 2005 brought down two pro-Western administrations protesting foreign control over natural gas resources, ultimately leading to former President Evo Morales’ rise to power.
The current roadblocks surrounding La Paz have continued for four weeks. Thousands of supply trucks carrying food and critical items like hospital oxygen remain stuck on highways. Meat, eggs, and fresh produce have vanished from store shelves. Military planes are now flying subsidized poultry into the capital. Government officials report at least four deaths due to lack of medical access, while hospitals continue operating but reserve supplies for emergency cases.
Business owners and transportation workers who oppose the protests are pressuring Paz to clear the roads by any means necessary. During a Tuesday march in the city center, they carried white flags and banged cookware while shouting, “We want solutions! We can’t take it anymore!”
Despite security forces using tear gas against demonstrators and detaining more than 120 individuals, Paz has avoided using stronger measures to break the blockades. Concerned that protester deaths at police hands would worsen the situation, he continues advocating for negotiation as the best solution.
“There shouldn’t be any deaths in Bolivia,” he stated Wednesday while establishing a council to give underrepresented social groups more influence in economic policy. “What we need is dialogue. For the love of our country, let’s talk.”
Paz has offered teacher bonuses and reached settlements with some protesting mining groups. He cut his own pay in half, dismissed his unpopular labor secretary, and named an Indigenous lawyer to replace him.
Pressure is mounting for Paz to declare a state of emergency, which would give military forces control over public order for 60 days. Following congressional approval of legislation expanding the army’s authority in civil disturbances Tuesday night, Paz now has constitutional power to take this step. He considers it a final option.
Morales, the former labor organizer who became Bolivia’s first Indigenous president in 2006 and governed for 14 years, is pushing for immediate elections.
“Paz only has two paths left: a suicidal decision like militarization or … an election in the next 90 days,” he posted on social media.
For nearly two years, Morales has been hiding in Bolivia’s central Chapare coca-farming region, avoiding arrest on human trafficking charges related to sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl. He maintains the accusations are politically driven.
Several unions and Indigenous organizations opposing Paz have connections to Morales, whose constitutional violations and power-grabbing attempts cost him much of his support base and led to his controversial 2019 removal. His supporters from coca-farming unions officially joined the protest movement last week, marching through mountain regions to the capital demanding Paz’s resignation. Paz’s administration claims Morales is financing the demonstrations, which he denies.
Trump-aligned governments recently elected throughout Latin America, including those in Argentina, Chile, Honduras, and Costa Rica, have expressed support for Paz while condemning the protests as destabilizing forces.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, one of the region’s remaining leftist leaders, defended the protests, calling them a “struggle for Latin American dignity” and “response to geopolitical arrogance.” Bolivia subsequently expelled Colombia’s ambassador.
The United States has taken a firm position, describing the unrest as an attempted coup.
“We will not allow criminals and drug traffickers to overthrow democratically elected leaders in our hemisphere,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared last week. The American Embassy in La Paz announced it would close Wednesday and Thursday due to the violence.
The nation’s highest court has given final approval to an agreement that resolves a decade-long legal battle over water rights along the Rio Grande, one of North America’s major waterways.
In a concise ruling issued Tuesday, the Supreme Court endorsed the recommendation from a special master to proceed with the settlement framework initially put forward last year by New Mexico, Texas and Colorado.
The agreement mandates cuts to groundwater extraction along the shrinking river and the elimination of water rights tied to agricultural land in southern New Mexico. State officials presented the plan as a commitment to bring stability back to a complex water storage and distribution network serving two major irrigation districts spanning southern New Mexico and western Texas.
Scientists have cautioned that the Rio Grande’s unsustainable usage patterns — the river begins in Colorado and flows southward into Mexico — pose risks to water availability for millions who depend on this cross-border watershed.
Agricultural producers in southern New Mexico have increasingly relied on underground water sources to sustain pecan groves and chile farming operations as rising temperatures and reduced precipitation have diminished river levels and reservoir capacity in recent decades. This groundwater extraction led Texas to file suit in 2013, alleging the practice was reducing water allocations.
Although the Colorado River dominates water crisis coverage, specialists note the Rio Grande faces equally serious challenges. River sections extending north to Albuquerque are projected to run completely dry again this year, representing the third occurrence within a five-year span.
Representatives from the New Mexico Department of Justice and the state engineer’s office did not respond immediately to Wednesday inquiries regarding the court’s decision. They have stated previously that these agreements will enable local water management decisions while preventing catastrophic financial penalties worth billions for water delivery shortfalls.
The settlement framework establishes a comprehensive tracking system for water allocation to Texas. New Mexico will be able to use credit and deficit mechanisms across multiple years to manage drought and wet cycles, though extended delivery delays could trigger additional water-sharing requirements.
According to the settlement terms, New Mexico must decrease yearly groundwater depletion by 18,200 acre-feet, equivalent to approximately 5.9 billion gallons (22.3 billion liters).
Authorities anticipate meeting most reduction targets through voluntary water rights purchases from landowners, which would remove more than 14 square miles (36 square kilometers) of agricultural property from production.
Additional specifics — including total costs — remain under development, but senior water officials have consistently informed New Mexico legislators that success requires “an all hands on deck approach.”
“The problems that we face with water are problems we can’t face unless we work together,” Hannah Riseley-White, director of the Interstate Stream Commission, told a group of water experts during a meeting in March.
She referenced a mix of extended land retirement programs, water conservation measures and upgraded irrigation systems.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Salisbury University softball player Karlie Wolfe has been recognized with First Team All-American status by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
The organization made the announcement regarding Division III All-Americans this afternoon, highlighting Wolfe’s outstanding performance during the season.
The NFCA First Team All-American designation represents one of the highest individual honors available to college softball players at the Division III level.
With warmer weather on the horizon, countless individuals begin planning their time on the water. From angling and water skiing to leisurely cruises and peaceful moments in quiet bays, boat rentals offer an excellent opportunity to experience aquatic recreation without the financial burden and maintenance demands of owning a vessel.
For those planning vacations or seeking more outdoor adventures, several key factors should guide your selection of the perfect rental boat.
1. Research Thoroughly in Advance
Begin by investigating rental companies operating in your target waterway or local area through online searches. Examine customer feedback and verify that businesses maintain appropriate licenses and insurance coverage. Company websites typically contain essential details about their fleet, policies, and safety protocols, making advance review worthwhile. Additionally, seek referrals from acquaintances and relatives—personal recommendations frequently lead to trustworthy operators that deliver exceptional boating adventures.
2. Evaluate Available Vessel Options
Various water activities demand specific boat categories. Determine your desired boating adventure before booking. Will you need an open motorboat for angling, a personal watercraft for touring, a kayak for paddling, a pontoon vessel for group relaxation, or specialized equipment for towed water activities?
Numerous rental operations maintain diverse fleets, while some focus on particular categories like personal watercraft, pontoon vessels, or sailboats. Confirm your chosen company stocks the appropriate craft for your intended pursuits.
3. Seek Clear Pricing Information
Verify that all expenses are outlined transparently from the start, covering fuel costs, security deposits, cleaning charges, and supplementary equipment fees. When uncertain about any charges, inquire before completing the contract. Unexpected expenses can dampen an otherwise perfect day on the water.
4. Examine the Vessel Before Departure
Spend time evaluating the boat prior to launching. Does the craft look clean and properly maintained? Are there any pre-existing damages that require documentation before your rental period starts?
Additionally, ensure the rental company demonstrates the location and correct usage of mandatory safety gear, including life preservers, fire suppression equipment, sound devices, and other required items.
5. Review the Rental Contract Thoroughly
The rental contract represents a legal agreement between you and the boat rental company that defines mutual rights and obligations. Study it completely and seek clarification on any confusing elements before accepting the vessel.
Through advance preparation and proper questioning, boat rentals can provide enjoyable, secure, and unforgettable water experiences this summer. Enjoy responsibly and always wear your life jacket.
A Cape Henlopen High School senior has completed his internship with the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, marking the end of an eight-month learning experience. Dale Edwards finished his time with the department on Wednesday, May 27, after starting the program in September.
Edwards managed to juggle his internship responsibilities with his academic schedule, working at the police department two to three days weekly. He often arrived early in the morning before returning to school for afternoon classes.
The police department has maintained its internship program since 2013, focusing on providing students with substantial learning opportunities. According to Internship Coordinator Lt. Will Sullivan, the approach goes beyond basic office tasks.
“These students won’t learn by answering phones,” Sullivan explained. “This is a position where they interact with officers and administration, 911 staff, and other support agencies.”
The program operates as a genuine “student-in-training” experience. Following an initial orientation period, participants work in various departments including Criminal Investigations, Community Outreach, Records, Patrol, Policies & Procedures, Property & Evidence, Administration & Budgeting, Communications, and Outside Agencies.
Edwards appreciated the diverse experiences the internship offered. “There was so much different stuff I got to do, including ride-alongs. But all in all, the best part was the people. They are great officers, and I had a great lieutenant,” he said.
While his father, RBPD Sgt. Ray Edwards, works at the same department, Dale emphasized that family connection wasn’t his motivation for choosing this internship. He pointed to Cape Henlopen High School’s Work-Based Learning (WBL) program as the key factor in his preparation and career exploration during high school.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but this was something I could see myself doing in a few years and as a career,” Edwards noted. “Overall, it’s an incredible program. Basically, any job you’d be interested in has an internship.”
Lt. Sullivan praised the partnership with the school’s WBL program, conducting regular evaluations and maintaining communication with WBL Coordinator Garnet Rhue. “They’ve all been really good kids to work with,” Sullivan said. “They all come recommended by the school. They’re goal‑oriented students.”
The department has already selected next year’s intern, and Sullivan mentioned that many former participants maintain contact with the department. Several have pursued careers in law enforcement or related support positions.
Edwards has graduation scheduled for June 2, and his colleagues at the police department helped him practice his ceremonial walk by rehearsing in the station corridors. His summer plans include working in North Shores before enrolling at Delaware Tech to earn an associate degree in business and finance, with aspirations of joining law enforcement. He’s also considering returning next summer as a seasonal officer.
Lt. Sullivan expressed enthusiasm about that possibility. “It’s been nice working with him. He has a great personality. He’s going to go very far,” he said.
A Goldey-Beacom College baseball player has received recognition from a national coaching organization for his outstanding performance this season.
The American Baseball Coaches Association has selected senior pitcher Kory Williams, a Pennsauken, New Jersey native, for the second team All-East Region squad. Williams was instrumental in helping the Lightning baseball program secure its fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The honor highlights Williams’ significant contributions to Goldey-Beacom’s continued success on the diamond and the program’s sustained excellence at the national level.
Energy markets experienced significant volatility Wednesday as crude oil values declined while investors monitored ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and potential diplomatic developments between Washington and Tehran.
Brent crude prices decreased approximately 1.5% to around $98 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate saw a steeper decline of roughly 2% to about $92. These drops reversed some of Tuesday’s gains that followed American military strikes against Iranian positions.
The market retreat occurred as investors searched for indications that diplomatic discussions between Washington and Tehran might yield an agreement to reopen the strategic waterway, despite Iran’s allegations that the United States breached ceasefire terms and Washington’s assertion that its military actions were defensive in nature. This crucial passage connects the Gulf to the Arabian Sea and serves as one of the planet’s most vital energy corridors, facilitating the transport of substantial quantities of crude oil and liquefied natural gas from Gulf nations to Asian, European, and other global markets.
Recent movement of liquefied natural gas vessels through the waterway has sparked cautious optimism that shipping activity might begin recovering. Previous Reuters coverage indicated that oil and liquefied natural gas carriers had departed Hormuz bound for Pakistan and China, while additional vessel movements demonstrated modest but noticeable signs of renewed passage.
Energy markets continue to exhibit extreme sensitivity to each military and diplomatic development. Oil values had surged 4% Tuesday following fresh American strikes in Iran that diminished expectations for rapid route reopening. Prices had previously declined when President Donald Trump indicated that US-Iran negotiations were approaching completion, demonstrating how rapidly traders alternate between escalation concerns and deal optimism.
Extended disruption would impact far beyond fuel costs. Energy expenses influence transportation, electricity, food manufacturing, and fertilizer pricing, with Gulf exporters maintaining central roles in worldwide supply chains. Dallas Federal Reserve President Lorie Logan cautioned Wednesday that if the waterway remains blocked, global consumers may need to curtail oil and natural gas consumption to align with available supplies.
Currently, energy markets are responding less to already-lost shipments than to upcoming developments from the region: mine removal operations, vessel traffic, ceasefire negotiations, or additional military action.
An oil tanker owned by a Greek company suffered a mysterious blast along its hull while sailing in waters off Oman on Tuesday, creating new worries about maritime safety near one of the world’s most important shipping passages. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported the explosion struck the left side of the vessel near the waterline, approximately 60 nautical miles from Muscat.
Officials identified the ship as the Olympic Life, a massive crude oil carrier managed by Springfield Shipping and owned by Olympic Shipping & Management. Authorities confirmed the vessel and all crew members remained safe following the incident, and the ship was traveling empty without any cargo aboard. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency stated investigators have not determined what caused the blast.
The explosion damaged one of the ship’s fuel storage tanks and resulted in a minor fuel spill, which crews successfully stopped from spreading. According to Reuters, the incident happened at approximately 9:20 am UTC, though the Wall Street Journal cited the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency as reporting the time closer to 9:45 am UTC.
The geographic location makes this incident particularly concerning for international commerce. The Gulf of Oman borders the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that connects oil-producing nations in the Gulf region with markets worldwide. Massive quantities of the planet’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas typically travel through this strait, making shipping safety in the area a crucial factor in maintaining ceasefires and advancing diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran.
This explosion occurred while Washington and Tehran continue complex negotiations regarding Hormuz passage rights, economic sanctions, frozen assets, and Iran’s nuclear activities. The incident also follows recent American military strikes against Iranian missile installations and ships that Washington claimed posed threats near the waterway. Iran has criticized these strikes as violations of the ceasefire agreement, while American officials maintain the actions were necessary for defense.
No government or organization has publicly accused any nation or militant group of responsibility for the tanker explosion. As long as investigators work to determine whether the blast resulted from a mine, drone attack, missile strike, or other cause, this incident serves as another troubling reminder that even a single explosion in this shipping corridor can disrupt energy markets across the globe.
Israeli military officials announced Wednesday they had successfully eliminated Mohammed Odeh, the recently appointed commander of Hamas’ military operations in Gaza, during a Tuesday operation that targeted multiple structures being used as hideouts in Gaza City. The operation followed months of intelligence gathering by Israeli Defense Forces and Shin Bet.
According to Israeli military sources, Odeh had assumed leadership of Hamas’ armed wing just last week following the death of Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who was killed by Israeli forces on May 15. Military officials stated that Odeh previously led Hamas’ military intelligence operations and accused him of participating in the planning and coordination of the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of around 250 individuals.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially announced Tuesday’s operation against Odeh on social media without confirming whether the target had been killed. “We have now attacked Mohammed Odeh in Gaza – the leader of Hamas’s military wing and one of the architects of the October 7 massacre. We will reach everyone,” Netanyahu posted online.
Defense Minister Israel Katz subsequently confirmed Odeh’s death in a joint announcement with Netanyahu, stating that the “commander of the armed wing of the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza was eliminated yesterday and sent to meet his associates in the depths of hell.”
The military operation targeted Gaza City on the day before Eid al-Adha celebrations. Medical officials at Palestinian hospitals reported a minimum of three fatalities and 12 injuries from the strike, while Reuters cited Gaza officials claiming that Odeh’s wife, son, and three additional individuals were killed, with more than 20 people sustaining injuries.
Since the October 2023 attack, Israeli operations have resulted in the deaths of multiple high-ranking Hamas officials, including several successive leaders of the organization’s military branch. These targeted eliminations have significantly disrupted Hamas’ senior leadership structure, although the group maintains operations throughout Gaza using smaller units and regional commanders.
The operation took place despite an October ceasefire agreement that has not prevented continued Israeli military actions and ongoing Hamas activities in the territory. Health officials in Gaza report that more than 72,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began, though this number does not differentiate between civilian casualties and combatants.
Following more than ten years of conflict, economic sanctions, and financial collapse, Syria is capturing fresh interest from regional and international investors examining reconstruction possibilities across energy, infrastructure, logistics, real estate, and digital services sectors. However, sanctions risks, fragile institutions, deteriorated infrastructure, and political instability persist in making the nation among the region’s most dangerous investment environments.
The magnitude is staggering. The World Bank has calculated Syria’s reconstruction requirements at $216 billion, with potential expenses ranging from $140 billion to $345 billion, following years of warfare that harmed residences, government buildings, utilities, transportation systems, industrial facilities, and critical services.
Some analysts and investors view that destruction as creating what they describe as an unusual opportunity: a nation needing nearly complete reconstruction, from electrical grids, roadways, bridges, ports, airports, hospitals, schools, and water systems to housing, telecommunications, banking infrastructure, and government services. Others consider Syria to remain a high-risk setting where political instability, ongoing sanctions issues, vulnerable institutions, and weak financial frameworks could delay or prevent significant investment.
The revived interest comes after various political and economic changes following Damascus’ return to the Arab League and its renewed relations with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, and other Arab nations. It has also been supported by sanctions relief in Europe and renewed international conversations about economic recovery, though targeted sanctions and compliance risks continue as significant barriers for banks, contractors, and investors.
The European Union has removed broad economic restrictions imposed during the Assad era while keeping targeted measures against individuals and entities connected to the former regime. The International Monetary Fund has also resumed engagement with Syria, while recent logistics and port agreements have contributed to the perception that segments of the international business community are once again exploring the Syrian market.
The disparity remains sharp. The US State Department continues to recommend Americans avoid travel to Syria, citing serious security threats, while commercial conversations increasingly center on reconstruction, energy, logistics, housing, and digital services.
Mustafa al-Nuaimi, a Syrian affairs analyst and researcher, told The Media Line that Syria’s postwar period will not be determined exclusively by politics or military strength, but by economics as well.
“Rebuilding a country the size of Syria means contracts worth billions of dollars and long-term influence over strategic sectors such as electricity, energy, ports, telecommunications, and infrastructure,” he said.
According to al-Nuaimi, current developments indicate the start of early competition over “postwar Syria,” with regional and international players seeking influence in the country’s future economy before the framework of reconstruction is completely established.
At the focus of investor attention is electricity. Syria’s power sector suffered severe damage during the war, with power plants, transmission lines, fuel supply chains, and distribution networks all impacted. Ongoing electricity shortages continue to interrupt daily life, industry, commerce, and public services.
Syrian-Saudi businessman Nabil Al-Mazloum told The Media Line that the electricity crisis has generated significant demand for investment in power generation, solar and renewable energy, transmission improvements, and projects designed to address the country’s severe energy shortage.
Economic projections indicate that restoring the electricity sector alone could need tens of billions of dollars. Al-Mazloum said Syria’s domestic power demand makes the sector among the most appealing areas for investors, especially because electricity is vital for restarting factories, commercial operations, and essential services.
Real estate and construction are also fundamental to the reconstruction discussion. Extensive areas of Aleppo, Homs, the Damascus countryside, and other regions need rebuilding of residential areas, commercial districts, industrial zones, hotels, and public facilities. A future return of refugees and internally displaced Syrians could dramatically increase demand for housing, schools, clinics, transportation, and municipal services.
Yet reconstruction is not merely a business prospect. Property disputes, refugee rights, land ownership records, sanctions compliance, corruption concerns, territorial fragmentation, and unresolved political questions could determine who profits from rebuilding and whether displaced Syrians can return to homes and communities changed by years of war.
The oil and gas sector remains another potential area of focus, despite the sharp decline in Syrian production during the conflict. Oil fields, pipelines, refineries, and related infrastructure need extensive rehabilitation, while Syria’s location provides it broader significance in regional energy considerations.
Still, energy investment remains politically and legally complex. US sanctions exposure, divided territorial control, and overlapping local and foreign interests around energy resources continue to make the sector challenging for major international companies, even where commercial opportunities are evident.
Beyond heavy infrastructure, some investors view technology and digital services as less vulnerable to political and physical risk. Syria has a large young population, increasing smartphone usage, and demand for e-commerce, software, digital payments, technical services, and telecommunications. Those sectors could grow rapidly if economic opening continues and banking and regulatory systems strengthen.
Adel al-Shammari, head of investor support within Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ expatriate affairs department, told The Media Line that the Syrian government acknowledges that Arab and foreign capital will be crucial to any recovery. He said officials are working to revive the economy and promote investment in energy, infrastructure, industry, real estate, and services.
“There is increasing interest from Arab and foreign businessmen in the Syrian market,” al-Shammari said, adding that the government is seeking to simplify administrative procedures, encourage partnerships, and create a more flexible environment for new projects.
“Syria today is not what it was during the war years,” he said. “There are major opportunities in electricity, energy, industry, real estate, and services, and the state is working to create the right conditions to attract investors.”
Al-Shammari acknowledged, however, that sanctions, banking restrictions, and difficulties with financial transfers remain major obstacles for companies and businessmen considering work in Syria.
Lebanese businessman Raouf Abou Zaki, who works in energy and real estate development, told The Media Line that Syria represents “one of the most important long-term investment opportunities in the region.”
According to Abou Zaki, investors who enter post-conflict markets early are often positioned to benefit most if stability improves.
“Whoever waits until Syria becomes fully stable will enter too late,” he said.
He said the scale of destruction has created demand across almost every major sector, including electricity, construction, logistics, services, and technology. Lower operating costs and depressed real estate prices, he added, could offer investors a cheaper entry point than in more developed Arab markets.
Abou Zaki said Gulf businessmen have begun studying potential projects in solar energy, real estate, light industry, logistics, and services, though many remain cautious because of sanctions, financing obstacles, and uncertainty over Syria’s political and legal environment.
A Syrian businessman familiar with the market told The Media Line that the growing optimism does not fully reflect conditions on the ground. He said the issue is not whether Syria has economic opportunities, but whether investors can operate in a clear and reliable administrative environment.
He pointed to bureaucracy, slow procedures, weak banking infrastructure, difficulties in financial transfers, and legal ambiguity in some sectors as major concerns. Many Arab businessmen, he said, are monitoring Syria closely but prefer to wait for greater clarity before entering directly.
That caution remains central to Syria’s investment story. The country may offer one of the Middle East’s largest reconstruction markets, but it also carries some of the region’s most serious investment risks. Damaged infrastructure, limited financing, unresolved sanctions exposure, weak governance, fragile institutions, and incomplete security continue to complicate any long-term economic recovery.
For now, Syria sits between two realities: a country still burdened by war, sanctions, institutional collapse, and political risk, and a potential reconstruction market drawing renewed attention from governments, investors, and companies seeking an early position in the postwar economy. The opportunity is real, but so is the danger. In Syria, rebuilding will not be only about contracts and capital; it will also be about power, legitimacy, and who gets to shape the country after years of destruction.
Motorists traveling westbound on Route 9 between Lewes and Georgetown should expect delays due to ongoing construction work affecting traffic flow in the area.
The construction zone spans the section of Lewes Georgetown Highway, also known as Seashore Highway, between Kits Burrow Court and Emerson Way. Drivers will encounter a shoulder closure and must navigate through a lane shift while passing through the work area.
Traffic restrictions are expected to remain in place until 4 PM today. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when driving through the construction zone.
Law enforcement officials with the New Castle County Division of Police Drug and Human Trafficking Investigations Team have taken two people into custody after conducting a months-long drug investigation.
The probe began in April 2026 when investigators started looking into 45-year-old William Comer, whom authorities believed was selling fentanyl across New Castle County.
During the course of their investigation, detectives gathered intelligence suggesting that Comer had been living in Elkton, Maryland. Officers then worked together with authorities to coordinate the arrest operation.
Tehran charged Washington on Tuesday with breaking the ceasefire following American military operations against Iranian targets in the country’s southern region, hitting missile facilities and vessels near the Strait of Hormuz while diplomatic discussions in Qatar continued regarding a potential deal to halt the conflict and resume commercial shipping through the strategic waterway. The United States characterized the operations as defensive measures designed to safeguard American military personnel from Iranian threats.
Officials from Iran characterized the military actions as evidence of “bad faith and unreliability” and stated they damaged negotiations that seemed to be progressing toward a temporary agreement. Tehran declared the operations breached the ceasefire and issued warnings about responding to additional hostile actions. American officials said the mission focused on missile launch facilities and vessels trying to deploy mines near Hormuz, the crucial Gulf corridor that has emerged as the focal point of recent diplomatic efforts.
The Qatar discussions have centered on prolonging the ceasefire, restoring access to the Strait of Hormuz, unfreezing Iranian assets, and establishing additional negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear activities. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi participated in the Doha meetings before departing the nation, while American officials indicated conversations might resume in upcoming days.
The situation has created a challenging scenario for President Donald Trump’s administration: pursuing an agreement to ease strain on worldwide energy markets while maintaining military operations against Iranian facilities it claims pose risks to American troops and maritime commerce. The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas transport, making its reopening essential for Washington, Gulf nations, and energy-importing countries.
Iran has additionally started restoring internet connectivity following one of the nation’s most extended countrywide blackouts, which had increased economic hardship and isolated numerous businesses and residents throughout the conflict.
The recent military operations do not seem to have terminated the negotiations, but they have reduced opportunities for agreement. With Iran labeling the attacks a violation and Washington maintaining it responded defensively, the ceasefire’s future hinges on whether both nations can maintain dialogue while continuing military actions along its boundaries.
The latest installment of ‘Facing the Middle East with Felice Friedson’ tackles themes of conflict, oppression, historical memory, and ethical obligations. The show’s host begins by exploring how the Islamic Republic attempts to connect with Iranian expatriates while simultaneously strengthening its control over domestic opposition, before presenting an exclusive investigation into sexual violence and government suppression within Iran, a discussion regarding Black-Jewish unity in America, and a defense expert’s evaluation of unstable truces involving Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza.
The program opens with Ashkan Rostami, an Italian-Persian political analyst specializing in Iran, Israel, and Middle Eastern regional affairs. Rostami examines correspondence allegedly distributed via Iranian embassy networks to diaspora Iranians following the war’s beginning. One communication encouraged recipients to participate in a government initiative opposing what the regime labels the “big and small Satan,” referring to America and Israel. A separate message requested monetary assistance, with Rostami noting the provided account seemed linked to the Red Cross in Kenya. According to him, this effort demonstrates a typical government strategy: disconnect internet access within Iran, separate domestic populations, and attempt to rally or fragment overseas Iranians.
The show subsequently features an exclusive investigation by The Media Line’s Omid Habibinia, who interviews women and families throughout Iran regarding sexual assault, imprisonment, state killings, and government oppression under the Islamic Republic. The investigation contains accounts from women claiming security personnel employed rape, rape threats, and sexual degradation to frighten demonstrators and prevent women from rejoining street protests. The report also analyzes the regime’s increased reliance on executions, coerced admissions, and security accusations against opposition members, minorities, and political detainees.
The most heartbreaking segments emerge through individual testimonies: demonstrators, family members of killed protesters, and relatives of imprisoned individuals describe detentions, isolation, shootings, and terror during wartime circumstances. Human rights expert Azadeh Pourzand cautions that recent military actions by the US and Israel have provided the Islamic Republic with additional justification to escalate oppression.
Shifting from Iran to America, the program examines the interconnected histories of Black and Jewish Americans. The host interviews Dr. Benjamin Franklin Chavez Jr. and Dr. Sherry Rogers from Spill the Honey, a group dedicated to maintaining and educating about these connected stories. Rogers talks about her film ‘Shared Legacies,’ which captures testimonies from civil rights activists and Jewish supporters who collaborated during the fight for racial equality. Chavez, who served with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during the 1960s, expresses concern that younger people are becoming disconnected from Black and Jewish heritage during a period of increasing antisemitism, racism, Holocaust denial, and misrepresentation of the transatlantic slave trade.
The concluding segment showcases Jonathan Conricus, a former Israel Defense Forces lieutenant colonel and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. In conversation with The Media Line’s Gabriel Colodro, Conricus maintains that Iran, Israel, Gulf nations, Hezbollah, and other area participants are utilizing the prolonged ceasefire to restock supplies and organize for future combat. He states that discussions advanced by President Donald Trump remain significantly divided, particularly concerning Iran’s atomic program, missile systems, and the Strait of Hormuz.
Conricus additionally addresses Lebanon and Gaza, stating that the Israel-Hezbollah truce functions more theoretically than practically, while the tunnel system operated by a militant group remains challenging to evaluate despite years of Israeli military actions.
The host concludes by encouraging audiences to distribute accounts of truth and optimism, emphasizing that journalism must expose both wrongdoing and strength in one of the globe’s most disputed areas.
The head of the American Booksellers Association, Allison Hill, frequently encounters people who offer condolences when they discover her profession.
“It’s all so funny,” she says. “When I tell them I run the trade association for independent stores, they’ll say, ‘It’s just so sad that they’re disappearing.’ I don’t think they’re really keeping track, or they just know about a store that closed or heard about one closing.”
While popular culture continues to portray bookstore closures as inevitable – even referenced in “The Devil Wears Prada 2” where a character mourns that bookstores are “getting downsized and consolidated” – the reality shows a different story. The downturn actually concluded years ago, with recent data from the American Booksellers Association revealing independent bookstore growth at levels not witnessed this century.
ABA membership increased by more than 500 in the past year, reaching 3,417 members operating 3,783 locations. This represents nearly three times the membership from ten years ago and marks the highest participation since the late 1990s. New establishments include diverse formats – traditional shops like Hey Books! in San Diego, traveling operations like the Wandering Quills Bookshop in Westerville, Ohio, and temporary locations like Banyan Books in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Numerous new members capitalize on the current popularity of romance, fantasy and romantasy genres, such as the Spicy Librarian in Denver or the Flutter Romance Bookstore in Austin, Texas, which describes itself as a place “Where butterflies begin. And every story ends in happily-ever-after.”
Independent bookselling attracts idealists rather than profit-seekers, drawing young people with purpose, retirees seeking new adventures, and mid-career professionals wanting change. “I think people want to realign their lives with their values,” Hill explains.
Kelley Hartnett, a 55-year-old marketing consultant and copywriter from Wentzville, Missouri, fulfilled her longtime dream of operating a bookstore despite her husband’s worries about competing with Amazon. She launched Double Dog Bookshop in 2025 as a mobile operation, traveling in a converted cargo trailer with two Australian Cattle Dog mutts, before establishing a permanent downtown location.
“For me, Double Dog is about maybe 50% books and 50% community,” says Hartnett, who seeks larger space to accommodate customers who want to gather and “just be.”
“People are craving connection, especially in-person connection,” she said. “People are over the internet and virtual meetings and algorithms. They’re not the same as having a human to human connection. It feels really healing.”
While Hill can laugh about misconceptions regarding bookselling’s demise, she acknowledges the industry remains “precarious” despite its health. Operating expenses remain elevated, and budget reductions affecting schools and libraries reduce their purchases from local establishments.
Independent operators also express concerns about Barnes & Noble, a former rival that once appeared threatened itself.
The chain store giant dominated sales during the 1980s and 1990s, widely blamed for forcing hundreds or possibly thousands of independent stores to close. However, Amazon overtook Barnes & Noble by the 2010s, forcing the chain to close locations rather than expand and struggle to find buyers before Elliott Management Corp. acquired it in 2019.
Under CEO James Daunt’s direction, Barnes & Noble has resumed expansion, adding over 100 locations in the past two years. In Chicago, the owner of decade-old Volume Books attributed her closure to a new Barnes & Noble, while Hill noted that “even a small decrease in sales can make or break a bookstore’s year in an industry with paper-thin margins.”
Daunt rejects suggestions that he targets independent sellers, claiming such behavior isn’t in his “DNA.”
“I’m an independent seller myself,” he says, referencing his founding of Daunt Books in London. He mentions customers who patronize both his store and British chain Waterstones, where he also serves as managing director. “I never thought of the market as finite.”
The owners of The Book Loft Oak Park, another Chicago-area establishment that opened last summer, admit some anxiety about an upcoming nearby Barnes & Noble. However, Heather Nelson and Sophie Schauer Eldred hope the stores will complement each other.
“We’re hoping people whose curiosity is piqued by the new Barnes and Noble will walk down the street,” Schauer Eldred said, “and pop into our bookstore.”
Israeli forces issued evacuation directives Wednesday for civilians throughout southern Lebanon as military operations expand in the region. Military officials announced they would deploy “extreme force” in their campaign against the militant organization Hezbollah.
This evacuation order represents the first such directive issued since a truce became effective on April 17, occurring during heightened tensions in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli forces have advanced beyond the Litani River and are moving toward the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh.
The intensified military activity occurs just two days prior to scheduled discussions at the Pentagon between Lebanese officials and military leaders, where strengthening the existing ceasefire arrangement will be among the topics addressed.
Previously, Israeli military commanders had specifically instructed civilians in the southern communities of Nabatiyeh and the coastal city of Tyre to evacuate and maintain distance from what officials identified as Hezbollah personnel and military installations.
Since the ceasefire period began, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in almost continuous attacks. The militant group has taken credit for multiple strikes targeting both Israeli military personnel operating in Lebanon and communities along Israel’s northern border. After an increase in explosive drone strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that military forces would broaden their offensive operations throughout Lebanon.
Opening statements commenced Wednesday in a South Carolina courtroom where a store owner faces murder charges for the deadly shooting of a 14-year-old Black teenager in 2023. Prosecutors described the incident as unprovoked and “heinous,” while defense attorneys maintained their client acted to protect his son.
Chikei Rick Chow, 61, who is Asian, fatally shot Cyrus Carmack-Belton in the back while pursuing him on foot in Columbia on May 28, 2023. Prosecutors say Chow mistakenly believed the teen had stolen four water bottles from his store. The incident deeply impacted the African American community in Richland County, where Black residents make up nearly half the population.
Although prosecutors admit Carmack-Belton carried a semiautomatic pistol, they contend the weapon dropped to the ground during the pursuit and the teen never used it to threaten anyone. However, defense attorneys claim the teenager aimed the gun at Chow’s son, Andy, prompting Chow to fire a single defensive shot.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what is the value of a human life?” prosecutor Byron E. Gipson asked the 12-member jury. “To grieving parents who lost a 14-year-old to senseless acts of violence, a human life is priceless.”
Gipson added, “But on May 28, 2023, Chikei Rick Chow, the defendant in this case, determined that Cyrus Carmack-Belton’s life was worth less than four bottles of water.”
The prosecutor then challenged Chow’s assertion that he was defending his son.
“In what world do you get to falsely accuse a 14-year-old of stealing, chase a 14-year-old 130 plus yards down a road while you’re armed with a pistol, shoot that person in the back, then claim you’re defending your son?” he said. “Folks it’s for that senseless act, for that ridiculous act, for that heinous act, that Chikei Rick Chow, the defendant in this case, has been charged and indicted for the crime of murder.”
Defense attorney Jack Swerling opened by questioning why the teenager was carrying a pistol with a laser sight on Columbia streets.
“If he didn’t have that weapon, he never would have had a weapon to draw on Andy Chow,” Swerling said. “He never would have had a weapon to put Andy Chow in danger. And he never would have had a weapon that would cause Mr. Chow to believe his son was going to be shot and have to make a split-second decision — a split-second decision — as to whether or not to go ahead and fire that gun and protect his son.”
Swerling argued Chow believed he had no alternative but to shoot the teenager. The defense attorney noted that Chow administered CPR to Carmack-Belton afterward, which he said demonstrates Chow acted without malice — a necessary component of murder charges in South Carolina.
“Nobody’s saying everybody’s happy about this, but unfortunately there are occasions in human life when someone has to exercise that right of self-defense or defense of others,” Swerling said. “It’s sad. It’s tragic. There’s no question about that. My heart goes out to the family. They suffered a tremendous loss.”
Chow sat with his legal team at the defense table, dressed in a dark suit and white-collared shirt without a tie, periodically taking notes on a pad.
Following opening statements, a responding police officer became the first witness to testify. The trial is anticipated to continue for several days.
Carmack-Belton had entered the store around 8 p.m. that evening, wearing a hoodie and carrying a backpack. Following store policy, he left the backpack at the entrance and walked through the aisles, Gipson explained.
The teenager eventually approached a cooler and removed four water bottles, then returned all the bottles to the cooler, Gipson said. While Carmack-Belton shopped, the Chows observed him with suspicion, he noted. The Xpress Mart Shell station store had multiple surveillance cameras both inside and outside that captured the sequence of events.
A confrontation occurred when Carmack-Belton returned to the store entrance and rejected the Chows’ accusations that he had stolen water, Gipson said. The teen then retrieved his backpack and exited the store.
Chow and his son Andy then pursued Carmack-Belton, who started running. The teen lost a shoe and stumbled several times during the chase, which covered approximately 130 yards from the store to a city street before the shooting occurred, Gipson said.
A firearm was discovered near Carmack-Belton’s body, but investigators have stated there is no evidence the teen ever pointed the weapon at Chow or his son.
Owning a business was a dream for Chikei Rick Chow, Swerling said. Chow was born in Hong Kong and his wife was born in Malaysia. Both became U.S. citizens and had two sons, he said.
Iranian citizens started getting back online Wednesday as government officials ended an internet blackout that lasted for months. However, people using the restored service report sluggish connections and patchy coverage across different regions, with popular platforms such as YouTube and Instagram still facing significant limitations similar to restrictions that existed before the January cutoff during widespread protests.
Government officials defended the internet blackout as necessary for military reasons following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran on Feb. 28. The decision to restore partial connectivity this week coincided with ongoing negotiations that appear to be moving toward a lasting ceasefire agreement. Many Iranian citizens worry that internet access could be severed again without warning.
According to internet monitoring firm Netblocks, Iran’s connectivity levels – which track how well devices can reach the internet – have reached approximately 86% of pre-shutdown capacity. Meanwhile, data from internet analysis company Kentik shows that actual internet traffic, measuring data transfer volumes and indicating real usage patterns, sits at roughly 40% of previous levels.
Iranian cybersecurity expert Amir Rashidi noted that significant service interruptions persist across the country. “It’s too early to say the shutdown is over,” he posted on X.
The country’s approximately 90 million residents experienced one of the globe’s most extensive and restrictive national internet blackouts for the majority of 2026. Young professionals whose livelihoods depended on online work watched their earnings disappear completely. Employment losses and the collapse of internet-based businesses compounded the conflict’s already severe economic impact.
The communication blackout created enormous challenges for Iranian families trying to stay in touch during months of civil unrest and warfare. During certain periods, telephone services were also disconnected, though these were eventually restored.
One Tehran resident explained that for months she could barely maintain contact with her sons living in other countries. She expressed disbelief that officials had actually restored internet access, saying she had expected authorities to find reasons to extend the blackout indefinitely.
A taxi driver confirmed that service had returned but remained unreliable. He voiced optimism that connections would strengthen enough for him to use messaging applications with relatives and friends. Both individuals requested anonymity due to safety concerns.
Internet costs skyrocketed during the shutdown period, with Tehran residents sometimes paying approximately $7.50 per gigabyte. Pricing has now dropped back to around $2.25 for 30 gigabytes, returning to levels seen before the protest movement began.
Even before the complete shutdown, Iran maintained strict controls over access to major social media platforms, forcing many users to depend on virtual private networks or VPNs. The expense of these workaround tools increased dramatically during the blackout, putting them beyond the financial reach of many people as the economy suffered severe damage.
Companies are beginning to establish their online presence again, posting announcements about their return on platforms including Instagram and Telegram.
A gaming content creator and technology influencer from the central city of Isfahan described how the shutdown devastated his audience on YouTube and Instagram, where he had invested years building a substantial following.
“All my views and interactions are way down. I’ve been erased from the algorithm,” he explained in a voice message sent through WhatsApp, noting that his internet connection remained slower than pre-shutdown speeds.
“The situation is such that many content producers have had their income reduced to zero, have moved on to other jobs, or have been forced to sell their equipment to survive,” he continued. He also requested anonymity due to fears of government retaliation.
Iranian officials initially cut internet access in January as massive anti-government demonstrations erupted across the nation before being violently suppressed. The crackdown resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests.
Just as that initial cutoff was beginning to be relaxed, the government implemented a total internet blackout following the outbreak of war, after U.S. and Israeli attacks killed Iran’s supreme leader along with other senior officials.
The extended shutdown drew widespread criticism as it inflicted additional damage on an economy already struggling with inflation, attacks on critical industries, and a U.S. blockade affecting Iranian ports.
The internet blackout generated estimated daily losses of $30-40 million, with indirect economic damage likely reaching twice that amount, according to Iran’s Chamber of Commerce member Afshin Kolahi, who spoke to a local newspaper last month. Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi reported that roughly 10 million people work in jobs requiring internet connectivity.
Citizens retained access to a domestic network during the shutdown, but this system offered much more limited functionality, with users complaining about poor performance and extensive censorship. High-ranking government officials received special SIM cards providing them access to the global internet. Facing mounting pressure, authorities eventually expanded SIM card access to include certain professional groups during the blackout period.
WASHINGTON — During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, President Donald Trump expressed confidence about ongoing negotiations with Iran, claiming the Iranian side is “negotiating on fumes” as talks continue at a critical juncture.
The president’s optimism about reaching an agreement comes just days after he stated that his administration and Tehran had “largely negotiated” a settlement, though discussions remain fluid.
Trump seeks an agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz while providing him with a convincing case that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been sufficiently reduced to claim success, bringing closure to a conflict that has proven politically damaging for Republicans.
The potential agreement delays many crucial matters for future resolution and has already drawn sharp criticism — including from some of the president’s own allies — who argue that Iran’s hardline leadership will emerge from the conflict wounded but strengthened. This development unfolds as midterm elections approach and Republicans express concern that increasing costs and fuel prices are souring voters’ attitudes.
Speaking at the beginning of his Cabinet meeting, Trump acknowledged that additional work remains to finalize an agreement, but he expressed confidence that both parties would reach their goal.
“They want very much to make a deal,” Trump said. “So far, they haven’t gotten there. We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be — either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”
However, discussions became more complex following what the Pentagon described as “defensive” strikes by U.S. forces on missile launch facilities and mine-laying vessels in southern Iran on Monday. The U.S. claimed it acted with “restraint” given the ongoing ceasefire, while Iran condemned the action as evidence of “bad faith and unreliability.”
Republican Supporters Express Doubts
Despite Trump’s assertion that an agreement is achievable, significant differences appear to exist between the U.S. and Iran on several crucial matters. The president also faces criticism from Republican colleagues, including Sens. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ted Cruz of Texas, who believe the terms appear too advantageous for Tehran.
These lawmakers oppose elements of the agreement that have become public, arguing they too closely mirror the nuclear deal that Democratic President Barack Obama negotiated with Iran, which Trump abandoned during his first presidency.
According to the proposed agreement, Tehran would surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium — a central Trump requirement — in exchange for sanctions relief. This information comes from two regional officials and one senior Trump administration official, all speaking anonymously due to the delicate nature of the negotiations.
One regional official with direct access to the negotiations explained that the method for Iran’s uranium surrender would be determined during a 60-day period of additional talks. Some material would likely be diluted, while the remainder would be transferred to another country, the official noted.
Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which represents a brief technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran has not publicly agreed to surrender its uranium.
In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump stated that the uranium, believed to be stored beneath nuclear facilities damaged by U.S. airstrikes last year, would either be given to the U.S. or “destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event.” This statement indicates a relaxation of Trump’s earlier demand that the U.S. directly control Iran’s uranium stockpile.
Impact on Israel’s Lebanon Operations
A significant unresolved matter involves whether the ceasefire will extend to Israel’s operations against Hezbollah, the Iranian-supported militant organization in Lebanon. Iran has demanded that Lebanon be included in any ceasefire agreement negotiated with the United States.
The administration appears to maintain flexibility regarding the Lebanon situation. The developing memorandum of understanding calls for a ceasefire between the U.S. and its partners against Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, while also emphasizing Israel’s right to respond to immediate threats and defend itself.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that the Israeli military is “deepening its operation” in Lebanon. During the night, Israel’s military engaged with the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah organization along a strategic river in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces advanced northward.
Jonathan Conricus, a former spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, predicted that Israel expects Iran would quickly use any sanctions relief to rebuild its military strength and support proxy organizations, including Hezbollah and Hamas in Gaza.
“We’re not done fighting, because the Iranian regime isn’t done,” said Conricus, who serves as a senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank.
Trump Links Abraham Accords to Iran Agreement
On Monday, Trump stated that any agreement to conclude the Iran conflict should require several additional nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-facilitated agreements from Trump’s first term designed to normalize diplomatic and economic relationships with Israel.
Trump’s expectation that other Middle Eastern and majority Muslim nations could quickly join the accords may be overly optimistic.
Saudi Arabia, for instance, the most influential power in the Arab world and long considered the most valuable target for the normalization initiative, has maintained that creating a guaranteed pathway to a Palestinian state remains a prerequisite. This is something that Israel strongly rejects.
Trump promoted the Abraham Accords expansion during a weekend call with leaders of Middle Eastern allied nations.
Federal immigration authorities announced Wednesday that roughly 11,000 Lebanese nationals currently residing in the United States will receive extended deportation protections and work authorization through November 27.
The six-month extension was published in the Federal Register and applies to individuals covered under the Temporary Protected Status program, according to a 2024 government estimate.
According to the Department of Homeland Security notice, Secretary Markwayne Mullin has not completed his evaluation of Lebanon’s TPS designation and the protection was automatically renewed as a result.
The federal TPS program, established by Congress in 1990, offers deportation relief and employment authorization to individuals already present in the United States whose home nations face natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other exceptional circumstances. The homeland security secretary designates eligible countries for periods ranging from six to 18 months.
Current regional instability tied to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and ongoing cross-border violence were referenced in Wednesday’s announcement. Israeli forces conducted extensive airstrikes against Lebanon on Tuesday in what marked one of the most intense bombing campaigns in recent weeks.
Mullin, who previously served as a U.S. senator from Oklahoma, received confirmation as secretary in March following the dismissal of Kristi Noem by the administration.
During her tenure as secretary, Noem had ended TPS designations for various countries during their renewal periods, leading to legal challenges alleging inadequate review processes and discriminatory motivations.
The Supreme Court conducted oral arguments in April regarding the termination of TPS protections for Haitian and Syrian nationals, with a decision anticipated before the court’s term concludes in late June or early July.
The current administration has sought to eliminate most TPS program enrollment, arguing that permitting these immigrants to stay conflicts with national interests.
DHAKA – A unique albino buffalo in Bangladesh that gained the moniker “Donald Trump” because of its blonde hair has avoided ritual slaughter during Eid al-Adha following government intervention, according to a Home Ministry official who spoke Wednesday.
The massive 700-kilogram (1,543-pound) creature had been purchased for ceremonial sacrifice when officials intervened at the eleventh hour, expressing concerns about security issues stemming from intense public fascination before Thursday’s religious observance.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed issued orders to save the buffalo from slaughter, reimburse the purchaser, and relocate the animal to Dhaka’s national zoo.
“At the last moment, the decision was taken to spare the buffalo from sacrifice due to security concerns and the unusual level of public interest,” a ministry official said.
What started as an ordinary Eid livestock transaction transformed into a national sensation when footage spread across social media platforms. Large crowds flocked to the farm where people journeyed from distant locations to witness its golden-colored fringe and peaceful temperament.
Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha explained the animal received its distinctive name from his younger brother, who noticed the physical similarity.
Mridha described the buffalo as exceptionally docile, requiring special care including consistent feeding schedules and routine washing.
Such albino buffalo are uncommon in Bangladesh, where livestock typically display darker coloring, making this specimen particularly notable during the busy Eid animal trading period – although its famous nickname ultimately proved to be its salvation.
American Airlines plans to maintain its current annual profit projections despite facing a significant increase in fuel expenses, according to company leadership speaking at an investor event Wednesday.
Chief Executive Officer Robert Isom told attendees at a Bernstein investor conference that the airline is “not making any changes” to its financial outlook, even though elevated fuel costs are projected to increase expenses by $4 billion to $5 billion during the current year.
The executive noted there was “no doubt” that travel patterns show a K-shaped recovery, with affluent passengers traveling at higher rates compared to middle- and lower-income customers.
However, Isom reported that travel is expanding across all income levels, with the airline approximately 80% booked for the second quarter, business travel increasing 13% compared to the previous year, and leisure travel demand described as “incredibly” robust.
Company stock prices climbed roughly 1% during afternoon trading sessions.
The airline previously reduced its 2026 profit projections last month when jet fuel expenses climbed, announcing expectations for fuel costs to increase by more than $4 billion annually. The company now forecasts 2026 results between a 40-cent per share loss and a $1.10 per share profit, compared to earlier projections of $1.70 to $2.70 per share profit.
Isom projected second-quarter revenue would climb 15% from the same period last year with approximately 5% capacity expansion, suggesting around 10% unit revenue growth.
The carrier has consistently lagged behind competitors Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in profitability metrics for several years, creating concerns among labor unions and shareholders.
To address this performance gap, the airline has increased spending on premium services and customer improvements as part of efforts to boost revenue streams.
The company is expanding premium offerings, with Isom stating that premium seating capacity would expand at double the pace of standard cabin seating, while lie-flat seats would grow nearly 50% during the next three years.
According to Isom, the airline’s financial recovery hinges on revenue performance. He said the company anticipates maintaining much of its recent revenue gains through premium upgrades, sales and distribution modifications, stronger hub operations, and baggage fee income.
While maintaining projections that span from losses to profits, Isom expressed confidence that the airline would “repeat the profitability we had last year.”
Domestic carriers are also receiving benefits from a more constrained market following the departure of a major discount airline, which removed low-cost capacity and supported fare levels in certain markets. The ultra-low-cost carrier, known for aggressive pricing, stopped operations earlier this month after unsuccessful attempts to secure creditor backing for a government assistance package.
Isom reported that the airline experienced a temporary increase in basic economy fare purchases following the competitor’s exit, though this impact has since stabilized. He noted the defunct carrier represented approximately 1.5% of market share at the time of closure.
Challenges facing ultra-low-cost airlines stem from increasing operational expenses and broader efforts by major network carriers to compete across multiple fare categories through basic economy options, customer loyalty programs, airport lounges, and premium cabin services, according to Isom.
The executive clarified he was “not out here declaring ULCCs are dead,” but emphasized that the airline’s size, route network, and service offerings provide competitive advantages as consumers continue investing in travel experiences.
A major French technology consulting firm says artificial intelligence is creating new revenue streams and expanding business opportunities, countering investor fears that AI might hurt the company’s traditional services.
During a presentation to investors on Thursday, Capgemini executives explained that clients are approaching artificial intelligence differently than typical technology projects, viewing it as company-wide operational changes rather than simple IT improvements.
“Now the net result is a more resilient, more diversified Capgemini, one with stronger client intimacy,” CEO Aiman Ezzat said at the company’s Capital Markets Day event.
The presentation aimed to address widespread concerns among investors that AI technology might reduce the need for external technology contractors by automating programming tasks and other technical services. Instead, company leaders argued the technology is broadening the types of projects they can pursue with existing clients.
Chief Technology Officer Franck Greverie highlighted the company’s growing opportunities during the investor event.
“We’ve seen an explosion of our business opportunities over the last few months. And our pipeline of business opportunities already exceeds $12 billion,” Greverie told attendees.
An executive from OpenAI also participated in the presentation, describing how businesses are evolving their AI usage. Nate Harbacek, OpenAI’s vice president of global business, said companies are transitioning from “individual use and amazement to real enterprise deployment and scale,” where “entire workflows” would be “re-architected”.
The consulting firm, which belongs to OpenAI’s Frontier Alliance as a founding member, also discussed targeting demand for “sovereign” artificial intelligence systems designed to comply with local data protection, regulatory requirements and hosting preferences.
Ezzat explained that the company is collaborating with Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and Microsoft to develop region-specific cloud and artificial intelligence solutions, responding to increasing demands from companies and governments for greater control over where essential systems operate.
A vehicle accident has forced authorities to completely shut down northbound Route 13 at Rodgers Road, creating a total blockage for motorists traveling in that direction.
The crash has resulted in a full closure of the roadway, with no traffic able to pass through the affected area. Drivers are advised to find alternative routes while emergency responders and cleanup crews work at the scene.
The Delaware Department of Transportation is monitoring the situation and working to restore normal traffic flow as quickly as possible.
San Francisco and reserve quarterback Mac Jones have reached agreement on restructuring his 2026 season contract, according to a Wednesday report from NFL Network.
The reworked agreement features a $300,000 roster bonus, $3.55 million in base salary, and an additional $2.25 million in potential incentive payments, according to the report.
The 27-year-old Jones, who stepped into the starting role for eight games last season (posting a 5-3 record) while filling in for an injured Brock Purdy, will hit free agency in March.
During his debut season with San Francisco, Jones posted career-best numbers by completing 69.6% of his throws for 2,151 yards, throwing 13 touchdown passes against six interceptions over 11 appearances.
Originally selected 15th overall in the first round and earning Pro Bowl honors with New England in 2021, Jones holds a 25-32 record as a starting quarterback across his time with the Patriots (2021-23), Jacksonville Jaguars (2024) and 49ers. Throughout 63 career games, he has connected on 66.5% of his attempts for 12,741 yards with 67 touchdowns and 50 interceptions.
Purdy, 26, was sidelined for eight contests last season due to a turf-toe injury. San Francisco’s quarterback room also includes Adrian Martinez and Kurtis Rourke.
Fishing enthusiasts and newcomers alike will have three opportunities this summer to cast their lines in Maryland waters without purchasing licenses or permits. The dates include June 6, June 13, and July 4, when both residents and out-of-state visitors can fish freely.
These yearly license-free events offer an excellent opportunity to discover the state’s varied fishing locations. Experienced anglers can use these occasions to bring friends or relatives who haven’t tried fishing before.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) schedules these special fishing days annually on the opening two Saturdays in June plus Independence Day to capitalize on optimal spring and summer fishing conditions. During these designated periods, anyone may legally catch and keep finfish for personal enjoyment in both saltwater and freshwater areas throughout Maryland.
Participants must still comply with existing regulations, including minimum size requirements and daily bag limits outlined in the department’s fishing and crabbing guide.
The DNR provides numerous tools for both novice and seasoned fishermen, including an interactive angler access map and fish identification charts. Anglers at every skill level are invited to subscribe to the weekly Maryland Fishing Report for current fishing updates.
Those interested in helping protect Chesapeake Bay can target invasive species during these free fishing opportunities, including Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) and blue catfish. These non-native fish harm local species but offer exciting fishing action and provide delicious, protein-rich meals. No seasonal restrictions or catch limits apply to invasive species.
Beyond these free fishing days and specific license-free areas, Maryland requires anyone 16 years or older to carry a valid fishing license while fishing in state waters. Licenses are available for purchase or renewal online, at department service centers, through participating retail sports license agents, or by calling 866-344-8889. Revenue from fishing licenses, equipment, boats, and marine fuel sales supports the DNR’s fish conservation efforts.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, known for his three Super Bowl championships, four All-Pro selections, and engagement to pop icon Taylor Swift, has taken on a new role as a minority owner of the Cleveland Guardians baseball franchise.
The baseball team made the announcement Wednesday prior to their matchup with the Washington Nationals, revealing that Kelce had acquired a small portion of David Blitzer’s 35% ownership stake. Blitzer has the option to become the controlling owner following the 2027 season or can delay exercising that right.
Speaking on the “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason Kelce, the NFL star explained his decision: “The opportunity came across my desk and I just couldn’t say no. These guys (Blitzer and majority owner Paul Dolan) gave me the opportunity to show my Cleveland love and plant my roots in Cleveland forever, no matter what. It’s an awesome feeling knowing that a childhood kid that grew up on the east side is now part owner of his favorite baseball team.”
Kelce’s athletic background extends beyond football, having participated in football, basketball, and baseball during his time at Cleveland Heights High School. His baseball prowess was recognized when he was named Cleveland Plain Dealer baseball player of the week after achieving a .636 batting average (14 for 22) with two home runs and 12 RBIs during a May 2008 stretch in his senior season. He continued playing baseball on a collegiate summer team in 2010 while studying at the University of Cincinnati.
In a combined statement, Dolan and Blitzer praised the acquisition: “Travis Kelce knows what it takes to win at the highest levels and he’s exemplified that throughout his playing career and in the way he shows up as a community leader and businessman. He cares deeply for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio and is committed to supporting our mission of building out a world-class organization that helps uplift the communities we serve. It’s great to welcome Travis home and we know he’ll make a lasting impact here.”
During the podcast recording, Kelce sported a Guardians City Connect jersey while sharing memories of attending games during his youth. Both brothers revealed that Albert Belle and Jim Thome were their childhood baseball heroes.
“There’s so many countless memories of the 1990s and then early 2000s where it’s in me to always root for the Guards and always wanted to be a part of them from,” he said. “It’s a dream come true for a Cleveland kid. Any Cleveland kid would be through the roof right now, and I’m happy to be the honorable one to get to do it for us.”
Kelce and Swift were spotted in Cleveland recently, attending Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Cavaliers and New York Knicks last weekend.
As his inaugural act as a Guardians owner, Kelce is scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch on June 14 when the team faces the Detroit Tigers. This will be his second attempt at the honor, following a 2023 home opener against Seattle where his pitch bounced near home plate and rolled to the backstop.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt expressed mixed feelings about Kelce joining the organization, given his allegiance to the San Francisco 49ers.
“I’m still a little bit bitter because the Chiefs beat the Niners twice in the Super Bowl,” Vogt said before the series finale against the Nationals. “But outside of that, it’s pretty cool to have Kelce on board.”
This makes Kelce the second Chiefs player to hold ownership in a baseball franchise, joining teammate Patrick Mahomes, who owns a share of the Kansas City Royals. Mahomes congratulated Kelce by posting a video of his previous first pitch attempt on social media.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The governor of Puerto Rico declared a state of emergency Wednesday to combat escalating coastal erosion that has been battering the U.S. territory’s northern shoreline.
Gov. Jenniffer González stated that the executive declaration will enable her administration to fast-track initiatives aimed at safeguarding natural resources and at-risk coastal areas. Officials noted in a statement that elevated sea levels, storm surges and additional environmental factors have worsened the erosion problem throughout Puerto Rico.
González committed to assisting northern municipalities, including Loiza, where residents have been forced to relocate and sections of pavement from seaside roadways have collapsed into the sea after powerful wave activity.
The emergency declaration comes just prior to the beginning of Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 through November 30.
Officials have not yet calculated the total expense for the planned protective measures.
A battle between congressional generations ended with newcomer Rep. Christian Menefee unseating longtime Rep. Al Green in a Democratic primary runoff for a Houston-area congressional seat that was newly formed through last year’s Republican-controlled redistricting process.
Green, who has held office since 2005 and gained recognition for his demonstrations during President Donald Trump’s addresses, established himself as a champion of progressive racial justice measures that frequently angered Republican colleagues.
“I am so honored to have served for these many years, more than twenty. And I’m honored to have done some things that I’m very proud of,” Green told his supporters during an election night event.
“You probably see me smiling and it’s because it’s because this is not the end,” he added as the audience cheered. “This is the beginning of a new chapter.”
During the campaign, the 78-year-old Green faced attacks from cryptocurrency advocates due to his resistance to digital currency technology.
“Rep. Green’s defeat proves that anti-crypto hostility carries real electoral consequences, making him the first Democratic incumbent this cycle to lose his seat,” said Geoff Vetter, a spokesperson for Fairshake, a pro-cryptocurrency super PAC that spent millions in the runoff to unseat Green. “Fairshake was the difference-maker in this race, and we will continue to aggressively back leaders like Rep. Menefee across the country.”
Menefee, 38, previously served as the chief legal officer for Texas’ most populous county before taking his congressional oath in February following his victory in a January special election to replace the deceased Rep. Sylvester Turner. Turner passed away in February of the previous year, but Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delayed scheduling the special election for several months. Democratic leaders criticized this postponement as a strategy to preserve Republicans’ narrow House majority.
In a statement after his victory, Menefee praised Green’s service record, describing him as an “icon” and promising to continue his legislative efforts.
“For decades, Congressman Green has done what so few in public life are willing to do: he has spoken truth to power, directly to their faces, without flinching,” said Menefee. “He protested with his body, his voice, and his career on the line. He stood in the well of the United States House of Representatives and called President Trump out to his face, even when he stood alone. That is a legacy that will outlast any election.”
Menefee also criticized the state’s voting procedures.
Before Republican state legislators redrafted the congressional boundaries to favor more GOP-leaning districts, Green and Menefee had represented adjacent constituencies under the previous district lines.
“Republicans have made this hard on purpose,” Menefee told his supporters. “They delayed this election. They drew maps designed to dilute our power. They made you come back to the polls over and over again because they were hoping you would get tired and give up. You didn’t. Now it’s time to finish the job.”
Green made history in 2017 as the second Democratic lawmaker to introduce impeachment proceedings against Trump during his initial presidency and maintained his calls for the president’s ouster. In the past year, Green submitted three distinct impeachment articles targeting Trump, citing power abuse and allegedly encouraging threats against government officials and judicial officers.
After Tuesday’s runoff results, Trump described Green as “one of the most mentally deficient Congressmen in the history of our Country” in a social media message celebrating the outcome.
“But I will miss that lunatic not screaming and violently waving his cane at me during my next State of the Union Speech,” Trump wrote.
WASHINGTON — Alabama’s Republican leadership petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to permit the state to implement a congressional district map that benefits the GOP for upcoming elections, even though a federal court determined the redistricting plan deliberately targets Black voters with discrimination.
State officials submitted an emergency petition to the high court one day after a panel of three judges declined to approve a map the state created three years earlier, which contains only one district with a Black majority among Alabama’s seven congressional seats.
Instead, the judicial panel mandated that Alabama must continue utilizing a court-imposed map that was implemented for the 2024 elections, featuring two districts where Black voters represent a majority or near-majority of the population.
Attorney General Steve Marshall argued before the court that the state did not deliberately target Black residents with discriminatory practices and should be permitted to conduct this year’s elections using a map selected by state legislators rather than federal judges.
This petition represents the most recent chapter in the aftermath of last month’s Supreme Court decision that eliminated a Black-majority district in Louisiana and diminished the strength of the federal Voting Rights Act. Following that decision, Republican officials across multiple Southern states, including Alabama, have initiated efforts to redraw voting districts containing substantial minority populations that have historically supported Democratic candidates.
This redistricting activity forms part of a wider effort by President Donald Trump to maintain Republicans’ narrow House majority heading into November’s elections.
Alabama’s redistricting battle has been ongoing for several years. In 2023, the three-judge panel determined that a map created by Republican state legislators deliberately weakened the electoral influence of Black citizens. The court noted that Alabama, with approximately 27% Black population, should contain two districts where Black voters hold majority or near-majority status. The court-selected map was implemented in 2024.
Following the Supreme Court’s recent Louisiana decision, Alabama officials attempted to put their 2023 state-drawn map into effect. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority agreed to remove the injunction blocking the map’s implementation and returned the case to the three-judge panel for fresh consideration based on the Louisiana decision.
During this period, Alabama voters participated in May 11 primaries, and Republican Gov. Kay Ivey scheduled new special primaries for Aug. 11 in four congressional districts impacted by the map change.
After additional review, the judicial panel maintained its original determination that there was “undisputed evidence” of deliberate racial discrimination, a conclusion that remained separate from and uninfluenced by the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling.
The panel stated that the special congressional primaries should move forward using the previously court-approved districts.
Implementation of the court-mandated map resulted in the 2024 election victory of U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, a Black Democrat. State Republicans are pushing to implement a map that would provide the GOP with a chance to regain the south Alabama congressional seat.
WASHINGTON — Two influential senators are preparing to unveil bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing ongoing turmoil in college athletics by establishing rules for player compensation, restricting student transfers, and implementing what they call a “Lane Kiffin Rule” to prevent coaches from switching jobs during active seasons.
Senators Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who serve as chair and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee overseeing collegiate athletics, shared details of their proposed legislation with The Associated Press. The lawmakers developed the measure hoping it can secure the 60 votes required for Senate passage.
“This is a stability bill, not just an NIL bill,” Cruz explained, referring to name, image and likeness compensation that has resulted in football teams with $30 million payrolls and transformed the collegiate sports landscape.
Cantwell explained their collaboration on the measure, stating she and Cruz worked together “because he and I really do believe the college sports system is in a bit of chaos.”
The proposed legislation combines elements from two previous unsuccessful proposals known as SCORE and SAFE that have stalled in recent months. It incorporates two provisions the NCAA has endorsed: limited antitrust protection and language that would override the current patchwork of state regulations governing NIL.
Collegiate athletics has sought federal intervention while dealing with escalating player compensation costs and an uncontrolled transfer system that has put smaller programs at risk, particularly women’s sports that form the foundation of America’s Olympic development system.
The proposed Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) would provide what Cruz and Cantwell described as highly “targeted” antitrust protections — similar to the Republican-supported SCORE Act that Democrats largely rejected. In return, Cruz said the bill would include “public-facing protections” for student-athletes across 10 categories, including health insurance guarantees, scholarship protections, and stricter oversight of third-party NIL agreements.
“I think it’s better predictability,” Cantwell noted. “Why did we do it? Because when you’ve got thousands of athletes being cut, hundreds of programs being cut, the risk to the whole infrastructure was too high to not try to get better predictability.”
The legislation would restrict student-athletes to one unrestricted transfer during their collegiate careers — a concept that has gained widespread support nationwide — and would implement something similar to the five-year eligibility framework the NCAA appears poised to approve next month.
The measure also addresses coaching mobility. Kiffin’s abrupt departure to LSU from conference rival Mississippi while the Rebels prepared for the College Football Playoff last season highlighted an escalating problem in an environment where programs invest millions in rapidly changing football rosters: Universities show less patience and deploy more resources to hire coaches for immediate solutions.
The proposed legislation would ban mid-season coaching transitions.
“It’s not fair or right to poach a coach in the middle of the season while the team is still competing,” Cruz stated. “There’s a reason the NFL has a rule that you can’t do that. Obviously, NFL teams hire coaches away from each other but they don’t do so in the middle of the season.”
The bill would modify the Sports Broadcasting Act to permit conferences to combine their television rights — a change supporters claim could generate billions in additional revenue, though the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences dispute this projection.
The senators explained that conferences wouldn’t face mandatory participation in media pooling, but those choosing to participate would need to allocate a portion of any resulting revenue increases toward women’s and Olympic sports programs. This requirement alone could prove unacceptable to the SEC.
“If you do nothing, then obviously, all these other women’s and Olympic sports and less revenue-driven activities are going to suffer,” Cantwell said. “I’ve heard directly from my institutions, they say they’re counting on this. Not creating this stability now would be a missed opportunity.”
The SCORE Act, which received minimal Democratic backing, appeared on last week’s House agenda but was suddenly withdrawn after the Congressional Black Caucus and NAACP announced their opposition.
However, even if it had narrowly passed the closely divided House, it faced virtually no prospect of Senate approval in its current form, requiring 60 votes to overcome a potential filibuster.
“The Congressional Black Caucus and I have the same objective: stop the ‘SEC SCORE Act,’” Cantwell said, noting the SEC among numerous conferences supporting that measure.
Several Democrats hesitated to endorse legislation like SCORE that prevented college athletes from gaining employee status at their institutions. The new proposal adopts what Cantwell characterized as a “neutral” position on employment classification.
“Senator Cruz and I have been very concerned about producing a bill that’s not just about the 1% of athletes who go on and have a professional career,” she explained. “We took care of the entire ecosystem and have opportunities for athletes to continue to have that collegiate experience.”
